We introduce a new bivariate polynomial which we call the defensive alliance polynomial and denote it by da(G; x, y). It is a generalization of the alliance polynomial [Carballosa et al., 2014] and the strong alliance polynomial [Carballosa et al., 2016]. We show the relation between da(G; x, y) and the alliance, the strong alliance and the induced connected subgraph [Tittmann et al., 2011] polynomials. Then, we investigate information encoded in da(G; x, y) about G. We discuss the defensive alliance polynomial for the path graphs, the cycle graphs, the star graphs, the double star graphs, the complete graphs, the complete bipartite graphs, the regular graphs, the wheel graphs, the open wheel graphs, the friendship graphs, the triangular book graphs and the quadrilateral book graphs. Also, we prove that the above classes of graphs are characterized by its defensive alliance polynomial. A relation between induced subgraphs with order three and both subgraphs with order three and size three and two respectively, is proved to characterize the complete bipartite graphs. Finally, we present the defensive alliance polynomial of the graph formed by attaching a vertex to a complete graph. We show two pairs of graphs which are not characterized by the alliance polynomial but characterized by the defensive alliance polynomial.