Defense or Defence? One Letter, One Ocean
Defense is protection against attack. The spelling with s is American; British, Irish and Commonwealth writers use defence, and the pair is one of the clearest markers of variety.
Defense is the act of protecting against attack, and the means of doing it. The spelling splits neatly: American writers use s, everyone else uses c. Both are correct, and mixing them within one document is the only actual error.
- Protection against attack. *The defense of the city.*
- A country's military. *The Department of Defense.*
- The case made by an accused person. *Counsel for the defense.*
- The defending side in sport. *A solid defense.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun (US) | defense | National defense. |
| Noun (UK) | defence | The Ministry of Defence. |
| Verb | defend | Defend the position. |
| Adjective | defensive | A defensive tone. |
| Person | defendant | The defendant pleaded not guilty. |
How it is used in a sentence
- The defense rests.The formula ending a case in an American courtroom.
- In his defence, he had not been told.British spelling — introducing a mitigating fact.
- Attack is the best form of defence.A proverb, and a tactical claim of doubtful reliability.
The -ce and -se pairs
- defence / defense — same meaning, different variety
- licence / license — British uses c for the noun, s for the verb; American uses s for both
- practice / practise — British uses c for the noun, s for the verb; American uses c for both
- advice / advise — the same everywhere, because the two are pronounced differently
- The rule to remember: advice and advise settle the pattern for the others in British English
From Old French *defense*, from Latin *defensa*, from *defendere*, to ward off. The older English spelling was in fact with s; Samuel Johnson's dictionary favoured c, and Britain followed him while America followed Webster.
Which spelling should I use?
Match your audience. Defense for American readers, defence for British and Commonwealth ones, and be consistent throughout.
Is defense ever correct in Britain?
In proper names, yes — an American organisation keeps its own spelling wherever it is quoted.