défendre

Senses

1. 1.

   to defend

   to protect or guard against attack or harm

2. 2.

   to defend (in law)

   to represent or argue on behalf of someone in court

3. 3.

   to forbid; to prohibit

   to say that something is not allowed

4. 4.

   to stand up for; to champion

   to argue in support of an idea or person

Examples

• "Les soldats ont défendu la ville contre l'ennemi."

  The soldiers defended the city against the enemy.

• "L'avocat va défendre son client au tribunal."

  The lawyer will defend his client in court.

• "Il est interdit de fumer ici-c'est défendu."

  It is forbidden to smoke here-it is prohibited.

Usage

*Défendre* is a common transitive verb with multiple meanings depending on context. The "to forbid" sense is often encountered in the passive voice (*c'est défendu*, *il est défendu de...*). In legal contexts, it can also be reflexive (*se défendre*: to defend oneself). Avoid confusing it with *offendre* (to offend).