Defamation refers to the act of harming someone's reputation by spreading false or malicious information about them. It can be done through spoken words, written statements, visual representations, or even gestures. Defamation is a legal term that encompasses both slander (spoken defamation) and libel (written defamation). When someone makes a false statement about another person that causes harm to their reputation, they can be held liable for defamation in court. The law varies by jurisdiction, but generally, the burden of proof is on the accused to prove that the statements were true and not malicious.