1. LAW the things that are said in a court of law to try to prove that someone is not guilty of a crime:
• I am unhappy about the way my barrister is conducting my defence.
2. LAW the defence the lawyers in a court of law who try to prove that someone is not guilty of a crime:
• the chief witness for the defence
3. FINANCE actions taken by a company to prevent a takeover that it does not want
ˌcrown ˈjewels deˌfence FINANCE
when a company avoids being taken over by selling important assets cheaply to a supporter, so that the company is less attractive to buy, and then buying them back later when the takeover is no longer likely to happen
when one company tries to buy another in a takeover, but the second company buys the shares of the first, stopping it from happening:
• The airline executed a successful Pacman defense by acquiring its main competitor following a hostile bid.
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defence UK US UK (US defense) /dɪˈfens/ noun
► [S or U] LAW an argument or explanation which you use to prove that you are not guilty of something: »
Now he says he's done nothing wrong, and I assume that will be his defence in court.
»a defense attorney/lawyer
► [C] a method used by a company to avoid having another company take control of it: »
The chief executive led a vigorous takeover defence.
»One possible defence strategy is to mount a higher counter-bid for the parent company.
Financial and business terms. 2012.