How to pronounce defence
Say it like dih-FENS. Defence has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FENS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce defence. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- FENS
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Defence pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- dihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- FENSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of defence
American and British speakers say defence in essentially the same way: /dɪˈfɛns/ in the US and /dɪˈfɛns/ in the UK.
British respelling: dih-FENS.
What does defence mean?
- (psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires
- (sports) the team that is trying to prevent the other team from scoring“his teams are always good on defense”
- the defendant and his legal advisors collectively“the defense called for a mistrial”
Where does defence come from?
From Middle English defens, defense, from Old French defens, defense, from Late Latin dēfēnsa (“protection”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
- offence
Words that rhyme with defence
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of defence.
Words that sound like defence
Questions about saying defence
How do you pronounce defence?
Say dih-FENS. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈfɛns/. In British English it is /dɪˈfɛns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in defence?
Defence has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FENS). Broken into parts: dih · FENS.
Do Americans and Brits say defence the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dɪˈfɛns/ and the British form is /dɪˈfɛns/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as defence?
Defence sounds the same as defense in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.