Confusing words explained
“defence” vs “defense” — What’s the Difference?
'Defense' (American) vs 'defence' (British) same meaning.
Key takeaway
Quick Difference: defence vs defense
'Defense' (American) vs 'defence' (British) same meaning.
defence vs defense Side-by-Side Comparison
Meaning of defence
Protection against attack or threat; legal representation opposing a claim.
Protection or shield against something harmful; the team protecting in sports.
Use in British English for protection, law, or sports contexts.
- The castle has strong walls for defence.
- The lawyer presented a strong defence in court.
Meaning of defense
Protection or action taken to protect someone or something from harm or attack
The act of protecting yourself or something from being hurt or attacked. It can be physical protection or explaining why you did something.
In legal contexts, 'defense' refers to an accused person's case
- The castle had strong defense walls.
- He offered a defense of his argument in the debate.
Usage Notes & Nuance
defense: American English spelling; British English uses 'defence'
How to Remember the Difference
Defence with C is British; defense with S is American (CC for Commonwealth, SS for States).
Common Mistakes with defence and defense
Mistake with defence
Correct: Use 'defence' in British English; 'defense' is American.
Mistake with defence
Correct: Defence is the noun; defend is the verb.
Mistake with defense
Correct: defense (American) or defence (British)
Mistake with defense
Correct: in defense of
Practice Quiz: defence or defense?
Choose the word that best completes each real example sentence.
Question 1
The castle has strong walls for _____.
Question 2
The lawyer presented a strong _____ in court.
Question 3
Good _____ is important in football.
Pick at least one answer, then press Check answers to see how you did.
You scored 0 out of 3
Frequently Asked Questions About defence vs defense
What’s the difference between “defence” and “defense”?
'Defense' (American) vs 'defence' (British) same meaning.
When should I use “defence”?
Use in British English for protection, law, or sports contexts.
When should I use “defense”?
In legal contexts, 'defense' refers to an accused person's case
How can I remember defence vs defense?
Defence with C is British; defense with S is American (CC for Commonwealth, SS for States).
Is it “defence” or “defense” in example sentences?
Use the quiz above to test the pair with real example sentences from the available word data.