Collocations for defence - noun
1. action to protect sb/sth from attack
ADJ.
adequate, effective | natural
the body''s natural defence against viruses
the body''s natural defence against viruses
national | air | civil | nuclear
VERB + DEFENCE
organize, plan
to plan the defence of harbour
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.
He always sprang to Rose''s defence when Ed tried to criticize her.
PREP.
in ~ of
to fight in defence of your country
to fight in defence of your country
~ against
defence against attacks from the north
defence against attacks from the north
PHRASES
weapons of defence
2. 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.
They put up an effective defence against the guerrilla forces.
overcome, overwhelm
With her tears and angry accusations she completely overwhelmed his defences.
With her tears and angry accusations she completely overwhelmed his defences.
build (up)
They are building up defences along the river.
They are building up defences along the river.
breach
The sea breached the coastal defences in a number of spots.
The sea breached the coastal defences in a number of spots.
DEFENCE + NOUN
mechanism
PREP.
~ against
3. forces, etc. for protecting a country
DEFENCE + NOUN
force/forces, system | minister, ministry | policy, strategy | industry | budget, cuts, expenditure, spending
4. 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.
She spoke in his defence.
~ of, ~ to
a defence to murder
a defence to murder
PHRASES
counsel for the defence
5. in sport
ADJ.
good, strong, stubborn
VERB + DEFENCE
put up | destroy | strengthen
PREP.
in ~
to play in defence
to play in defence