Defence cuts (8)
I believe the answer is:
trenches
'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.
Can you help me to learn more?
(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" .)