on defense
idiom
sports
: on the part of a team that defends the goal
She began the season on defense, but her coach later put her on offense.
Examples of on defense in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But in a game where the Warriors were often playing catchup with the run-n-gun Blazers, Toohey gave effort on defense.
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Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 12 July 2025
The former 3-star recruit from Georgia soon evolved into the team’s most dynamic playmaker on defense until a season-ending knee injury against Ole Miss.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 July 2025
Little had gone right for the Yankees, especially on defense.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 7 July 2025
European countries are embroiled in feverish efforts to spend more on defense as the U.S.—which has supported Europe with its military for decades—swivels toward the Indo-Pacific.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for on defense
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Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 12 July 2025
The former 3-star recruit from Georgia soon evolved into the team’s most dynamic playmaker on defense until a season-ending knee injury against Ole Miss.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 July 2025
Little had gone right for the Yankees, especially on defense.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 7 July 2025
European countries are embroiled in feverish efforts to spend more on defense as the U.S.—which has supported Europe with its military for decades—swivels toward the Indo-Pacific.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for on defense
Cite this Entry
“On defense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20defense. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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