self-defence: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, legal, everyday (in context of personal safety).
Quick answer
What does “self-defence” mean?
The act of protecting oneself from physical harm or attack.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of protecting oneself from physical harm or attack.
A legal justification for using reasonable force to protect oneself, others, or one's property; also used metaphorically to describe the justification of actions taken to protect one's interests, reputation, or position.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: UK 'self-defence' vs. US 'self-defense'. The legal concept is largely identical, but specific statutes and case law differ between jurisdictions.
Connotations
Carries strong legal and moral connotations. In the UK, often associated with specific legal tests like 'reasonable force'. In the US, heavily tied to the Second Amendment and 'stand-your-ground' laws in some states.
Frequency
Common in legal, news, and personal safety contexts in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “self-defence” in a Sentence
[verb] in self-defence[verb] out of self-defenceuse [noun] for self-defencea case/act of self-defenceVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “self-defence” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The defendant successfully pleaded self-defence.
- She took a self-defence course at the local leisure centre.
American English
- The castle doctrine is a self-defense law.
- He claimed he acted in self-defense after being threatened.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could be used metaphorically: 'The hostile takeover bid was seen as an act of economic self-defence.'
Academic
Common in law, criminology, psychology (e.g., 'psychological self-defence mechanisms'), and political science texts.
Everyday
Common in discussions of personal safety, crime, and news reports of violent incidents.
Technical
Core term in criminal law, defining a specific affirmative defence against charges of assault or homicide.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “self-defence”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “self-defence”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “self-defence”
- Misspelling: 'selfdefence' (run-together) or 'self defense' (space). Incorrect preposition: 'He did it for self-defence' (less common) vs. 'He did it in self-defence'. Overuse in non-physical contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an affirmative defence that must be proven. The force used must be reasonable and proportionate to the threat faced.
Yes, in many jurisdictions, the legal right of self-defence extends to defending others from imminent harm, often referred to as 'defence of others'.
Self-defence is about stopping an ongoing or imminent attack. Revenge is a retaliatory action taken after the threat has ended. Revenge is not legally justified.
Primarily yes, but the term is used metaphorically in fields like psychology (defence mechanisms), diplomacy, and business.
The act of protecting oneself from physical harm or attack.
Self-defence is usually formal, legal, everyday (in context of personal safety). in register.
Self-defence: in British English it is pronounced /ˌself dɪˈfens/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌself dɪˈfɛns/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A man's home is his castle (related concept)”
- “Stand your ground (US legal idiom)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'SELF' + 'DEFENCE' – defending your SELF.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONFLICT IS WAR (on a personal scale); THE BODY IS A FORTRESS.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the standard American English spelling?