Defence or defense? Both spellings are correct. “Defense” is the American spelling, and “defence” is the British spelling. It is also used in many other countries, like Australia and Canada.
Let’s look at the simple rule, some examples, and a quick tip to remember it.
Defence or Defense: The Simple Rule
Both words mean the same thing: protection from attack, or the act of defending something.
- Defense (with an “s”) is used in American English.
- Defence (with a “c”) is used in British English and in many other countries.
The important thing is to pick one style and use it the same way in your whole text.
Examples of “Defense” (American)
- “The team has a strong defense.”
- “He spoke in defense of his friend.”
- “The Defense Department held a meeting.”
- “Good defense wins games.”
Examples of “Defence” (British)
- “The team has a strong defence.”
- “He spoke in defence of his friend.”
- “The Ministry of Defence held a meeting.”
- “Good defence wins matches.”
Mixing the Spellings
It is not a mistake to use either one. But do not switch back and forth in the same article, email, or school paper.
- “The coach praised the defense, and the defence plan worked.” (Not good. Mixed styles.)
- “The coach praised the defense, and the defense plan worked.” (Good. Same style.)
What About “Defensive”?
The adjective “defensive” is spelled with an “s” in both American and British English. For example: “He felt defensive when I asked about the mistake.”
Quick Tip to Remember
Think of where your reader lives or what style your teacher or website uses:
- US readers: use “defense.”
- UK, Australia, and most Commonwealth readers: use “defence.”
Another trick: Americans often use “s” in words like this, while the British use “c.” The same pattern happens with “offense” (US) and “offence” (UK).
Defence or Defense: Quick FAQ
Which spelling is correct?
Both are correct. “Defense” is American, and “defence” is British.
Which spelling should I use for my website or school work?
Use the style your reader, teacher, or company uses. If you are not sure, American “defense” is the most widely seen online.
Is “defence” a mistake in the US?
American spell-checkers often mark it as an error, but it is a correct spelling in British English. Just keep your style the same throughout.
Final Thoughts
To sum up, “defense” and “defence” are both right. The difference is only in the style of English you use.
Pick the one that matches your reader, and keep it the same across your whole text. That is the most important rule.
The same idea works for many other pairs, like “color” and “colour.” Once you know your style, the rest becomes easy. The verb “cancel” is another good example, which we explain in cancellation vs cancelation.