common defense
Mutual military protection
Common defense refers to the collective protection of a nation or group against external threats, particularly through shared military resources and coordinated security efforts.
The phrase appears prominently in the U.S.
Constitution's preamble as one of the fundamental purposes of government: provide for the common defense.
It emphasizes that defense is a shared responsibility benefiting all members equally, not individual self-protection.
- national securitySafeguarding a country's interests
- national interestNation's collective welfare priorities
- militaryArmed forces collectively
- protectionGuarding against harm
- constitutionInherent physical or structural makeup
general welfare · alliance · treaty · armed forces · standing army · homeland · home front · safeguard · militia · preamble · collective · shield · army · navy · patriotism · union · sovereignty · fortress
common defensepersonal protection
Safeguarding oneself from harm
private security · self-defense · every man for himself · self-preservation · personal bodyguard
common defensewar of conquest
Military seizure of territory
imperial expansion · military aggression · invasion · preemptive strike · unprovoked attack
common, defense, commune, communal, communion, community, communist, communism, communicate