line of defense
1
3.3
- noun
- /laɪn əv dɪˈfɛns/
- US
:
línea de defensa
- Antibodies are the second line of defense and, in an unvaccinated individual, take time to muster.
- the first line of defense
Examples
-
If you have a prescription for painkillers, you're the first line of defense against prescription drug addiction.
Blog text (19) -
This is our line of defense around Tettingen.
-
Our first line of defense is that we teach about religion; we do not teach religion.
Academic text (1996) -
But, sir, the beach trenches are our first line of defense.
-
The treatment approaches to anemia can act as a first line of defense to reduce the often unnecessary additional health burden that anemia adds.
Academic text (2003) -
Neutrophils are the most abundant and short-lived human immune cells and are rapidly recruited to sites of infection as a first line of defense.
Academic text (2017) -
I suspect that, like the tonsils, it's part of the immune system, sort of a first line of defense for collecting infection so that the immune system can build antibodies.
Blog text (23) -
Pharmacists—speaking of filling prescriptions, pharmacists can also be a line of defense against prescription drug addiction.
Blog text (19) -
The soldiers took their positions along the first line of defense to protect the city from invaders.
-
In a cybersecurity attack, firewalls serve as the primary line of defense against unauthorized access.
Synonyms
725
8.1
A defended position where soldiers stand during fighting
460
1.4
Protection from attack, danger, harm, or illness
83
4.8
A barrier put up to block a road or entrance
11
8.6
A strong wall built to protect a place like a city or ship
9
6.6
A wall or earth mound built to protect a place from attack
5
8.3
A strong part of a fort that sticks out for protection
1
7.5
A line of soldiers holding shields close together to form a strong defence
1
3.9
A building or wall built to protect a place from attack
1
7.5
A strong place or thing that protects people from bad things
A defensive position where soldiers stand behind trenches during war
A steep slope in front of a fort made by people that protects it from attack
How Clear
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: 'line' (a row/position) + 'of' + 'defense' (protection) yields a protective row/level or system, so the overall sense is predictable from the parts. This construction is literal and common across languages (e.g. Spanish 'línea de defensa', French 'ligne de défense'), so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words should understand it.
Etymology
Line of defense paints the picture of a straight line of walls or soldiers giving defense to stop an enemy from getting in. So, it now means 'a defensive structure or barrier'.