defences

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
defence /dɪˈfens/ (US defense)

▶noun

• 1 the action of defending from or resisting attack.

  ■ military measures or resources for protecting a country.

  ■ (often defences) a means of protecting something from attack.

• 2 the case presented by or on behalf of the party being accused or sued in a lawsuit.

  ■ (the defence) [treated as sing. or pl.] the counsel for the defendant in a lawsuit.

• 3 attempted justification or vindication: he spoke in defence of a disciplined approach.

• 4 (in sport) the action or role of defending one's goal or wicket against the opposition.

  ■ (the defence) the players in a team who perform a defensive role.