Spiritual Meaning:
Defending anything in a dream is protecting it spiritually, perhaps from contamination or from penetration. Defending any type of sacred space would have this meaning.

Psychological / Emotional Perspective:
Defending our position suggests that there is a conflict of some sort in us, maybe of ideas or principles.

Everyday Material Aspects:
Putting up a defence, perhaps a wall or barrier, signifies that we feel threatened in some way. We may have to justify our position over a situation in our waking lives.

Gender / Specific Meanings:
If a woman is defending herself in a dream she is guarding against some kind of ‘assault’, often of her own private space. If a man has such a dream, it shows he will defend against his own vulnerability.