defenseman

IPA/dɪˈfensmən/
IPA/dɪˈfensmən/

defenseman — noun

  • defensemansingular
  • defensemansplural

1. in ice hockey and some other team sports, a player whose main job is to stop the

1.nounB2
Definition

in ice hockey and some other team sports, a player whose main job is to stop the opposing team from getting close to their own goal and to block shots on net

Example

Lukas has played as a defenseman for the Toronto Maple Leafs for three seasons.

The Calgary Flames traded their veteran defenseman to a team in Boston.

collocation: veteran defenseman

Common collocations
  • stay-at-home defenseman
  • offensive defenseman
  • defenseman pairing
  • defenseman partner
  • defenseman pinches
  • first-pair defenseman
Synonyms
  • defender

    broader term used in soccer, basketball, and field hockey for any defensive player

  • defenceman

    British/Commonwealth spelling variant of the same ice hockey position

  • blue-liner

    informal hockey term referring to the blue line where defensemen often position themselves

Antonyms
  • forward

    player whose primary job is to attack and score goals

  • offensive player

    any player focused on attack rather than defense

Usage Note

Common in North American ice hockey coverage. In British English the spelling 'defenceman' is used instead. The plural 'defensemen' is preferred when referring to the position group as a whole.

Common Mistakes

He is a good defenseman in soccer.
He is a good defender in soccer.
'Defenseman' is almost exclusively used in ice hockey and lacrosse; soccer and basketball use 'defender' instead.
The team has three defencemans on its roster.
The team has three defensemen on its roster.
The plural of 'defenseman' is 'defensemen', with the vowel changing from a to e.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

In ice hockey, 'defenseman' is the standard term for a player whose main job is to stop the opposing team from scoring. 'Defender' is a broader term used in soccer, basketball, and field hockey — any player whose role is to protect the goal. In British English, 'defenceman' is the preferred spelling of the same ice hockey position. 'Blue-liner' is an informal hockey word that often appears in sports commentary but is not used in official team rosters or news reports. 'Back' refers to a defensive position in rugby and soccer, but is never used for ice hockey. For example: 'The team signed a veteran defenseman to strengthen the blue line.' and 'In soccer, a defender must stay between the attacker and the goal.'

defender ↗defencemanblue-linerback ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • defenseman position
  • defenseman group
  • defenseman unit

Prepositions

  • on defense

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From the noun 'defense' (from Latin 'defensus', past participle of 'defendere' meaning 'to ward off') + 'man' (from Old English 'mann' meaning 'person'). The compound 'defenseman' came into use in the late 19th century when ice hockey and lacrosse organized their positions, giving a distinct name to the players assigned to protect the goal area.

First known use

1877

1877, in the meaning defined above