1.
national defense; defense of a country
The protection of a nation's territory, people, and sovereignty against external military threats. Covers armed forces, defense policy, budgets, and related institutions.
国防は重要な課題だ。
National defense is an important issue.
この国は国防に多くの予算を使っている。
This country spends a large budget on national defense.
国防政策をめぐって、議会で激しい議論が続いた。
Heated debate over national defense policy continued in parliament.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 国防予算: defense budget
- 国防政策: defense policy
- 国防力: defense capability
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 防衛: defense — the more common official term (as in 防衛省, the Ministry of Defense); 国防 is somewhat more abstract or rhetorical
- 軍事: military affairs — focuses on armed forces and warfare rather than the protective goal