dɪˈfɛns dɪˈfɛns dɪˈmɜː dɪˈmɝ dɪˈmɝəl dɪˈmɜːɹəl dɪˈmʌɹə dɪˈnaɪ.əl a defendant's answer or plea denying the truth of the charges against them he gave evidence for the defense (law) any pleading that attacks the legal sufficiency of the opponent's pleadings (law) a formal objection to an opponent's pleadings