self-defense

noun
UK: /ˌself dɪˈfens/
US: /ˌself dɪˈfens/

  1. The act of protecting yourself from being attacked.

    1. I learned self-defense to feel safer.
    2. The course teaches practical self-defense techniques for women.

  2. Measures taken to protect oneself from harm or attack someone who attacking you.

    1. He used self-defense when the man attacked him.
    2. She claims she acted in self-defense after being threatened.

Synonyms

protection resistance counterattack self-preservation
self-defense adjective

  1. Used or intended to protect yourself from being attacked or harmed.

    1. She took a self-defense class.
    2. The martial arts studio offers a self-defense workshop every month.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "self-defense" in English means: The act of protecting yourself from being attacked., Measures taken to protect oneself from harm or attack someone who attacking you..

The phonetic transcription of "self-defense" is /ˌself dɪˈfens/ in British English and /ˌself dɪˈfens/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "self-defense": protection, resistance, counterattack, self-preservation.

Example usage of "self-defense": "I learned self-defense to feel safer.". More examples on the page.