From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary EnglishRelated topics: Sportdefensivede‧fen‧sive1 /dɪˈfensɪv/●くろまる○しろまる○しろまる adjective1DEFENDused or intended to protect someone or something against attackOPP offensiveThe prince drew up his forces in a strong defensive position.The rockets are a purely defensive measure against nuclear attack.2DEFENDbehaving in a way that shows you think someone is criticizing you even if they are notShe despised herself for sounding so defensive.a reserved and defensive manner3DS American Englishrelating to stopping the other team from getting points in a gameOPP offensivedefensive play —defensively adverb —defensiveness noun [uncountable]Examples from the Corpusdefensive• Police officersclaimed that their actions during the riots were purely defensive.• Dave Campo is the Cowboys' thirddefensivecoordinator in four years.• Their success was built upon a resolutedefensivedisplay, shutting out 12-goalDean Saunders.• Rather than getting upset or defensive, I see myself being genuinely interested in her input.• Brackens is the best rusher in the defensive line.• a defensiveplayer• The invention of the tank and the aircraft broke through the defensivestalemate that had characterised the first world war.• Dallas has lost two good players from their defense, cornerback Larry Brown and defensivetackle Russell Maryland.• The city would be encircled by its defensive walls pierced by town gates.• defensiveweaponsdefensive measure• Other defensive measure have included the long-awaiteddecision by Sir Rocco Forte to separate his chairman and chiefexecutive jobs.• It was also probably in part a defensive measure on the part of the ego itself.defensivedefensive2 noun1 →on/onto the defensive2 →put/force somebody on the defensiveExamples from the Corpusdefensive• But puttingnewsdirectors on the defensive is by no means a bad thing.• The industry is on the defensive in Congress, in courts across the nation and in the war for public opinion.• There are two reasons why the Government is now on the defensive after last week's protests against high fueltax.