You searched for: “defence
defence (s) (noun), defences (pl)
British spelling of defense: The act of protecting someone or something against attack or injury.
This entry is located in the following units: de- (page 13) -fend, fend-, fen- (page 1)
defence, defence, defense, defense
defence (di FENS), (a British, Canadian spelling) (noun)
1. The act of making or keeping safe from danger, attack, or harm: The army mounted a good defense against the invaders.
2. The act of speaking or writing in support of someone or something which is being attacked or criticized: We listened to a passionate defense of the governor's decision.
defence (di FENS) (a British, Canadian spelling) (adjective)
Descriptive of a legal case which argues that a person who is being sued or accused of a crime is innocent: The defence attorney told the jury that the prosecution had not proven its case.
defense (di FENS), (the U.S. spelling ) (noun)
1. The action of protecting from or withstanding an attack or harm: A defense was set up along the boarder so that it could be safeguarded against the enemy.
2. Something said in order to support a person who is being condemned or blamed for something: The student stood firmly in his defense against the teacher's accusation that he was copying from another student during the test.
defense (di FENS) (the U.S. spelling) (adjective)
Relating to a legal case which is set forth by the side being indicted or sued in a lawsuit: While preparing the defense strategy, the lawyer had to know all of the facts that the defendant could tell him.

For the spelling bee Percy was asked to spell defense and he spelled it d-e-f-e-n-c-e.

His U.S. teacher announced: WRONG!

Percy explained that he had just moved from Canada and that is the way they spell defence; however, his teacher said that she was sorry, but this is a U.S. spelling contest and so it should be spelled as defense.