IPA: /dɪˈfɛndər/
KK: /dɪˈfɛndər/
A person who protects or defends someone or something from harm or attack.
The defender blocked the shot to keep the team in the game.
Defender → It is formed from "de-" (meaning from or down from) and "fendere" (meaning to strike or to ward off). The word "defender" refers to someone who wards off or protects against an attack.
Think of someone who 'wards off' ('fendere') threats 'from' ('de-') others — that's why a defender is someone who protects.