noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb
defensive battle; defensive fight
Refers to a battle or fight where one is on the defensive, often used in military, sports, or metaphorical contexts. As a suru-verb, it means 'to fight defensively'.
敵の猛攻に、部隊は必死に防戦した。
The unit fought desperately on the defensive against the enemy's fierce attack.
試合終盤
In the closing stages of the match, the team was entirely on the defensive.