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
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web With the Orange, the 6-foot-5, 210-pound Dwan will be reunited with longtime family friend Dave Pietramala, the former Johns Hopkins standout defenseman and coach who is the defensive coordinator on Gary Gait’s staff. 
Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 23 June 2022 With goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, defenseman Victor Hedman and a staple of talented forwards, the Lightning could win a third consecutive Stanley Cup. Mike Brehm, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2022 Savard telegraphed rookie Gabriel Fortier’s bad pass at the blue line, jumping up to intercept it, juked past Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman and beat Lagace. Eduardo A. Encina, orlandosentinel.com, 28 Dec. 2021 The Anaheim Ducks signed John Klingberg to a one-year, $7 million contract on Friday, landing the top defenseman on the NHL free agent market. Greg Beacham, ajc, 29 July 2022 The 6-foot-7 defenseman who shoots right was one of the most intriguing prospects in the draft class and can make a big impact in the future. Jenna Ortiz, The Arizona Republic, 12 July 2022 The former defenseman was a fifth-round pick by the New Jersey Devils in the 1987 draft and played seven NHL seasons, including part of 1999-2000 and all of 2000-01 with the Hawks. Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2022 The defenseman played four seasons at St. Mark’s and is headed to Northeastern next season. Andrew Mahoney, BostonGlobe.com, 8 July 2022 The defenseman played 334 games for San Jose between 1998 and 2003, according to Hockey Reference; Marchment joined the Sharks' front office upon his retirement from the sport in 2006. Tommy Mcardle, PEOPLE.com, 7 July 2022 See More
Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 23 June 2022 With goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, defenseman Victor Hedman and a staple of talented forwards, the Lightning could win a third consecutive Stanley Cup. Mike Brehm, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2022 Savard telegraphed rookie Gabriel Fortier’s bad pass at the blue line, jumping up to intercept it, juked past Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman and beat Lagace. Eduardo A. Encina, orlandosentinel.com, 28 Dec. 2021 The Anaheim Ducks signed John Klingberg to a one-year, $7 million contract on Friday, landing the top defenseman on the NHL free agent market. Greg Beacham, ajc, 29 July 2022 The 6-foot-7 defenseman who shoots right was one of the most intriguing prospects in the draft class and can make a big impact in the future. Jenna Ortiz, The Arizona Republic, 12 July 2022 The former defenseman was a fifth-round pick by the New Jersey Devils in the 1987 draft and played seven NHL seasons, including part of 1999-2000 and all of 2000-01 with the Hawks. Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2022 The defenseman played four seasons at St. Mark’s and is headed to Northeastern next season. Andrew Mahoney, BostonGlobe.com, 8 July 2022 The defenseman played 334 games for San Jose between 1998 and 2003, according to Hockey Reference; Marchment joined the Sharks' front office upon his retirement from the sport in 2006. Tommy Mcardle, PEOPLE.com, 7 July 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1877, in the meaning defined above