defend
/dɪˈfend/ (bre, ipa) · [dɪfˈɛnd] /dɪˈfend/ (ame, ipa) · [dɪfˈɛnd] /di-ˈfend/ (ame, mw)
defend — 動詞
- defendpresent simple I / you / we / they
- defendshe / she / it
- defendedpast simple
- defending-ing form
1. to protect a person, place, or thing from being hurt, damaged, or criticized
防衛；保護
保護人事物免受傷害
to protect a person, place, or thing from being hurt, damaged, or criticized
The soldiers fought bravely to defend the village from the invading army.
士兵們奮勇作戰，保衛村莊免受入侵軍隊的攻擊。
defend + [place] from + [threat]
Pedro defended his younger brother when the bullies started teasing him at school.
Pedro 在學校挺身保護他的弟弟，不讓惡霸欺負他。
defend + [person] against + [aggressor]
Neighbors grabbed garden tools to defend the elderly couple from the two armed robbers who broke into their home.
鄰居們抓起園藝工具，挺身保衛遭到兩名持槍搶匪闖入家中的老夫妻。
The organization works to defend the rights of refugees who have fled their home countries.
該組織致力於捍衛逃離家鄉的難民的權利。
Citizens have a right to defend themselves when their lives are in danger.
當生命受到威脅時，公民有權進行自我防衛。
- attack
direct opposite — to harm instead of protect
文法句型
defend + noun phrase against/from + noun phrase
常見錯誤
2. to support a person or an idea through speech or writing when others are critici
聲援
以言語支持受批評者
to support a person or an idea through speech or writing when others are criticizing them
Emre defended his colleague during the meeting when others criticized her proposal.
Emre 在會議上站出來聲援遭到批評的同事提案。
defend + [person] when criticized
The minister defended the new policy in a long speech to the parliament.
部長在向議會發表的長篇演說中為新政策聲援。
Yael wrote an article defending the traditional methods of teaching languages.
Yael 寫了一篇文章，為傳統語言教學方法聲援。
How can you defend a company that treats its workers so unfairly?
你怎麼能為一家如此不公平對待員工的公司聲援？
Greta defended her view that schools should teach more music and art classes.
Greta 為自己觀點聲援，認為學校應該多教音樂和美術課。
- stand up for
more informal and emotional; B1 level
- support
broader meaning, not limited to responding to criticism; A2 level
文法句型
defend + noun phrase
defend + that-clause
用法筆記
Often used with a that-clause to introduce the argument being supported: 'She defended the idea that…'
常見錯誤
3. to serve as the legal representative of a person facing criminal charges, arguin
辯護
在法庭上為被告辯護
to serve as the legal representative of a person facing criminal charges, arguing for their innocence
A well-known lawyer was hired to defend Obi against the theft charges.
一位知名律師受聘為 Obi 辯護，處理他的盜竊指控。
passive: be hired to defend [person] against [charge]
Sahil spent three years studying law so he could defend people in court.
Sahil 花了三年研讀法律，以便能在法庭上為人辯護。
The young attorney defended her first client in a difficult murder case last month.
這位年輕律師上個月在一樁棘手的謀殺案中為她的第一位委託人辯護。
If you cannot afford a lawyer, the court will appoint someone to defend you.
如果你請不起律師，法院會指派一個人為你辯護。
- represent
broader legal meaning — can cover any client in any legal matter; B2 level
- prosecute
to bring a criminal case against someone in court; B2 level
文法句型
defend + noun phrase (accused person)
defend + noun phrase against + charge
用法筆記
The subject is typically a lawyer or legal team; the object is the accused person. This sense is distinct from sense 2 (聲援) because it refers specifically to formal legal representation in court.
常見錯誤
4. to play in a championship contest as the current winner, hoping to remain champi
衛冕
爭取保住冠軍頭銜
to play in a championship contest as the current winner, hoping to remain champion
The champion boxer will defend his world title against a tough challenger next month.
這位冠軍拳擊手將在下個月迎戰強勁挑戰者，衛冕世界冠軍頭銜。
defend + [title] against + [opponent]
Lisa is trying to defend her gold medal at the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris.
Lisa 正努力在即將到來的巴黎奧運會上衛冕她的金牌。
The team has not lost a match all season and hopes to defend its championship.
這支球隊整個賽季沒有輸過一場比賽，希望能衛冕冠軍。
Dahlia successfully defended her tennis title for the third year in a row.
Dahlia 連續第三年成功衛冕她的網球冠軍頭銜。
- retain
more formal; C1 level
文法句型
defend + noun phrase (title/championship/medal)
用法筆記
Always followed by the name of the title, medal, or championship — not the match or tournament itself. You defend a title, not a game.
常見錯誤
5. to prevent a player or team in a game from gaining points or achieving a win
防守
阻止對手得分或取勝
to prevent a player or team in a game from gaining points or achieving a win
Feng plays as a centre-back and is very good at defending set pieces.
Feng 踢中後衛位置，非常擅長防守定位球。
defend + [type of play] (sports context)
The goalkeeper defended his goal brilliantly, stopping every shot that came his way.
守門員出色地防守球門，擋住了朝他所踢來的每一次射門。
Dewi sprinted back to defend against the fast break by the opposing team.
Dewi 迅速衝回去防守對手的快攻。
Good teams know how to defend as a unit rather than relying on individual players.
優秀的球隊知道如何作為一個整體防守，而不是依賴個人球員。
Reema defended well throughout the match and did not let her opponent score.
Reema 整場比賽防守得很好，沒有讓對手得分。
- guard
more specific to staying close to an opponent; B1 level
- attack
to try to score instead of preventing the opponent from scoring
文法句型
defend + noun phrase (goal/position)
defend + against + noun phrase
用法筆記
Can be used both transitively ('defend the goal') and intransitively ('the team defended well'). This sense differs from sense 4 (衛冕) in that it describes in-game actions rather than the overall goal of keeping a title.