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
Verbeek also has lost four key defensemen — captain Radko Gudas, Jacob Trouba, John Carlson and Olen Zellweger — in the past month while adding only journeyman Nick Jensen as a probable replacement.
—
Greg Beacham,
Los Angeles Times,
6 July 2026
With reports of a looming offer sheet prepared for Mintyukov, Verbeek had to decide on locking up his young defenseman, considering trading him or taking the compensation in not matching the number Mintyukov would have signed at.
—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
5 July 2026
Not too long ago, the veteran defenseman known for his big hits and his physicality was part of the initial group that helped the Panthers rise to their current era of prominence.
—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
3 July 2026
General manager Chris Drury acquired defensemen Sean Durzi and Marcus Pettersson in separate trades, which should ease the burden on Adam Fox, Vladislav Gavrikov and goaltender Igor Shesterkin.
—
ABC News,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for defenseman
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.
Greg Beacham,
Los Angeles Times,
6 July 2026
With reports of a looming offer sheet prepared for Mintyukov, Verbeek had to decide on locking up his young defenseman, considering trading him or taking the compensation in not matching the number Mintyukov would have signed at.
—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
5 July 2026
Not too long ago, the veteran defenseman known for his big hits and his physicality was part of the initial group that helped the Panthers rise to their current era of prominence.
—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
3 July 2026
General manager Chris Drury acquired defensemen Sean Durzi and Marcus Pettersson in separate trades, which should ease the burden on Adam Fox, Vladislav Gavrikov and goaltender Igor Shesterkin.
—
ABC News,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for defenseman
Cite this Entry
“Defenseman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defenseman. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
defenseman
noun
de·fense·man
-mən
-ˌman
: a player in a sport who is assigned to a defensive zone or position
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
