defense-n; 8 Senses

Sense Number 1: an argument that gives grounds or justification for a position

Commentary: DEFENSE[+action][+declaration][+justification]

Examples:
He gave an unconvincing defense of the current energy policy.
She gave a brilliant speech in defense of evolutionary theory.
John's defense will rest largely on the new evidence uncovered yesterday.

Mappings:
PropBank: defense.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 8, 4, 11

Sense Number 2: action serving a protective function, often military

Commentary: DEFENSE[+action][+protection]

Examples:
Regular brushing is a good defense against tooth decay.
The defense of Stalingrad cost many Russian lives.
The current defense policy costs billions of dollars to maintain.
She claimed to have killed him in self defense.

Mappings:
PropBank: defense.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 2, 1

Sense Number 3: a sports team in the role of preventing scoring by the opponent

Commentary: DEFENSE[+team][+sports][+role][-scoring]

Examples:
The defense for New England did not give up many yards this season.
John played for the defense in college football.
The defense recovered the ball during the last play.

Mappings:
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 3

Sense Number 4: a legal team serving the client against the prosecution

Commentary: DEFENSE[+team][+legal][+role][-prosecution]

Examples:
The defense accused the prosecutor of leading the witness.
The defense team for the oil corporation includes a stellar legal mind from Harvard.

Mappings:
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 7

Sense Number 5: a structure to withstand attack

Commentary: DEFENSE[+structure][+protective][+physical/+psychological]
NOTE: can be physical or psychological

Examples:
The bombing missions were targeting the enemy's defense equipment installed around the city.
Rest and a good diet helped her body's natural defenses fight the disease.
Abused children build psychological defenses for their survival.
The enemy army was destroying the city's defenses with heavy artillery.
Black broke through white's defense with a daring queen sacrifice. (chess)

Mappings:
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 10, 5

Sense Number 6: organization of defenders, as military units

Commentary: DEFENSE[+organization][+government][+protection]

Examples:
Pete has joined the local air defense of his town.
The defense forces were amassed on the eastern bank of the river.
The Strategic Air Command was the first line of defense during the Cold War.
Police forces are the major line of defense against crime.

Mappings:
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 9

Sense Number 7: business enterprises that build, develop military weaponry

Commentary: DEFENSE[+organization][+business][+producer][+arms]

Examples:
He is a major spokesman for the defense industry.
John was a defense contractor at a major aerospace firm.
Reduced contracts led to a slump in the defense industry during that decade.

Mappings:
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 9

Sense Number 8: a federal department responsible for safeguarding national security

Commentary: DEFENSE[+organization][+government][+federal][+department][+administration]

Examples:
They applied for a grant through the Department of Defense.
There have been some recent reorganizations within the Defense Department.

Mappings:
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 6