Defence cuts (8)

I believe the answer is:

trenches

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'defence cuts' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

This is all the clue.

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(Other definitions for trenches that I've seen before include "Ditches for soldiers" , "Long ditches cut in the ground" , "The First World War was fought in these ditches" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph, The Guardian and The Globe and Mail.

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