defend
/dɪˈfɛnd/
verb
Common
1.v.argue or speak in defense of
“She supported the motion to strike”
2.v.be on the defensive; act against an attack
3.v.protect against a challenge or attack
“Hold that position behind the trees!”
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defend and guard share a recorded sense, so the question is not what they mean but which one fits. defend means “argue or speak in defense of”. guard means “a person who keeps watch over something or someone”. guard is the more common of the two in everyday English.
/dɪˈfɛnd/
1.v.argue or speak in defense of
“She supported the motion to strike”
2.v.be on the defensive; act against an attack
3.v.protect against a challenge or attack
“Hold that position behind the trees!”
/ˈɡɑɹd/
1.n.a person who keeps watch over something or someone
2.n.the person who plays that position on a football team
“the left guard was injured on the play”
3.n.a device designed to prevent injury or accidents
| defend | guard | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /dɪˈfɛnd/ | /ˈɡɑɹd/ |
| Said | di-FEND | gahrd |
| Syllables | 2 | 1 |
| Letters | 6 | 5 |
| Parts of speech | verb | noun, verb |
| Senses | 7 | 14 |
| How common | Common | Core |
| Synonyms | support, fend for | none recorded |
Full entry for defend · Full entry for guard · More comparisons