defenseman

noun

de·fense·man di-ˈfen(t)s-mən

-ˌman

: a player in a sport (such as hockey) who is assigned to a defensive zone or position

Examples of defenseman in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Veteran defenseman Kris Letang of the Penguins played a blind pass in his own zone and paid for it when the puck went to Pierre-Luc Dubois behind the net. — CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026 The defensive pair finished with a minus-2 rating, and Korchinski’s 11 minutes, 21 seconds of ice time was the lowest of the Hawks defensemen. — Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 Bouchard is the fifth defenseman in league history with at least 10 points through the first four games of a season. — Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026 Greig was banned for sucker punching Carolina defenseman Sean Walker in the second period of Ottawa’s 4-2 loss on April 25. — ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for defenseman

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of defenseman was in 1877

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Style

“Defenseman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defenseman. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

defenseman

noun

de·fense·man -mən

-ˌman

: a player in a sport who is assigned to a defensive zone or position

defenseman

noun

Examples of defenseman in a Sentence

Word History

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Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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