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.

Aaron Bogosian, the team’s human performance specialist and brother of veteran Wild defenseman Zach Bogosian, spoke to the players. — Michael Russo, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026 New Jersey defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic made his season debut after missing all of training camp recovering from knee surgery this past spring. — CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026 Cale Makar, the Avalanche’s two-time Norris Trophy-winning defenseman, didn’t make the trip with his wife expecting twins. — ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026 Clearing and gaining possession of the puck has been nearly impossible for Hawks defensemen and forwards. — Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 13 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 20 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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