1
general::
noun action to protect sb/sth from attack ADJ. adequate, effective | natural the body's natural defence against viruses | national | air | civil | nuclear VERB + DEFENCE organize, plan to plan the defence of harbour | come to, leap to, rush to, spring to He always sprang to Rose's defence when Ed tried to criticize her. PREP. in ~ of to fight in defence of your country | ~ against defence against attacks from the north PHRASES weapons of defence sth that protects sb/sth from sth ADJ. effective | coastal, sea VERB + DEFENCE put up They put up an effective defence against the guerrilla forces. | overcome, overwhelm With her tears and angry accusations she completely overwhelmed his defences. | build (up) They are building up defences along the river. | breach The sea breached the coastal defences in a number of spots. DEFENCE + NOUN mechanism PREP. ~ against forces, etc. for protecting a country DEFENCE + NOUN force/forces, system | minister, ministry | policy, strategy | industry | budget, cuts, expenditure, spending legal argument ADJ. good | robust, spirited, strong | adequate | legal VERB + DEFENCE conduct, make, mount, put up, raise | destroy DEFENCE + NOUN counsel, lawyer PREP. in sb's ~ She spoke in his defence. | ~ of, ~ to a defence to murder PHRASES counsel for the defence in sport ADJ. good, strong, stubborn VERB + DEFENCE put up | destroy | strengthen PREP. in ~ to play in defence
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
2
general::
defence
defence + NOUN
a defence force
(= group of soldiers, pilots etc trained to defend a country )
• The country's defence forces are on standby in case of an attack.
a defence system
(= a system of people, organizations etc to defend a country )
• Is the national defence system adequate?
a defence policy
• Ministers in Brussels have been discussing a possible European defence policy.
defence spending/expenditure
• There were plans to cut defence spending by one billion pounds.
the defence budget
(= amount of money a government makes available for defence )
• They have called for the defence budget to be increased.
the Defence Department
(= part of the government dealing with defence )
• This is secret information, known only to the Defence Department.
the Defence Secretary
(= person in a government in charge of defence )
• The Defence Secretary is under pressure to resign.
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