defiance

UK: /dɪˈfaɪəns/ US: /dɪˈfaɪəns/ ,(di fī′əns)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

de•fi•ance /dɪˈfaɪəns/   n. [uncountable]

1. a bold resistance to authority;
   open disregard or contempt:
   The strike was an act of open defiance.

Idioms

2. Idioms in defiance of, despite;
   notwithstanding:
   In defiance of all the rules, demonstrators marched in front of the presidential mansion.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

de•fi•ance  (di fī′əns), n. 

1. a daring or bold resistance to authority or to any opposing force.
2. open disregard;
   contempt (often fol. by of ):
   defiance of danger; His refusal amounted to defiance.
3. a challenge to meet in combat or in a contest.
4. Idioms bid defiance to, to offer resistance;
   defy.
5. Idioms in defiance of, in spite of;
   notwithstanding:
   There was a splendid audience in defiance of the rainstorm.

• Old French, equivalent. to defi(er) to defy + -ance -ance
• Middle English 1250–1300

De•fi•ance  (di fī′əns), n. 

1. Place Names a city in NW Ohio. 16,810.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

defiance / dɪˈfaɪəns/ noun

1. open or bold resistance to or disregard for authority, opposition, or power
2. a challenging attitude or behaviour; challenge