self-defense

noun

self-de·​fense ˌself-di-ˈfen(t)s How to pronounce self-defense (audio)
1
: a plea of justification for the use of force or for homicide
2
: the act of defending oneself, one's property, or a close relative

Examples of self-defense in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Seavey told the race’s officials that out of self-defense, he was forced to shoot the moose with a handgun. Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 6 Mar. 2024 Several hours later, CENTCOM forces destroyed three anti-ship missiles and three unmanned surface vessels (USV) in self-defense. Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 6 Mar. 2024 Dallas Seavey informed the officials with the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race early Monday morning that he was forced to shoot the moose with a handgun in self-defense. CBS News, 5 Mar. 2024 In particular, the airdrops – a second set was carried out Tuesday – only underscore for many Mr. Biden’s refusal since the beginning of the war to take any steps that might be construed as dictating actions to Israel or imposing any restraint on its right to self-defense. Howard Lafranchi, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 Mar. 2024 Israelis, deeply traumatized by Hamas' attack, have broadly backed the war effort as an act of self-defense, even as global opposition to the fighting has increased. Tia Goldenberg, arkansasonline.com, 4 Mar. 2024 Benitez found that such weapons have long been used for self-defense, and that in the relevant historical eras under Bruen, there were no sufficiently similar bans on them. Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2024 Senate Bill 1183 ran into opposition from people who were concerned about restricting methods of self-defense, said Sen. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills. Miguel Torres, The Arizona Republic, 28 Feb. 2024 But the judge also gave credence to a factual basis for a self-defense argument. Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'self-defense.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-defense was in 1609

Dictionary Entries Near self-defense

Cite this Entry

“Self-defense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-defense. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

self-defense

noun
self-de·​fense
ˌself-di-ˈfen(t)s
: the act of defending oneself, one's property, or a close relative

Legal Definition

self-defense

noun
self-de·​fense
ˈself-di-ˈfens
1
: the use of force to defend oneself
2
: an affirmative defense (as to a murder charge) alleging that the defendant used force necessarily to protect himself or herself because of a reasonable belief that the other party intended to inflict great bodily harm or death see also justification sense 2

More from Merriam-Webster on self-defense

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