John Doe

noun

1
: a party to legal proceedings whose true name is unknown
2
: an average man

Examples of John Doe in a Sentence

to John Doe the most important issues in any election are usually those that affect his wallet
Recent Examples on the Web Monroe had been previously known as John Doe #36 and was thought to have been a migrant worker prior to his identification. Brie Stimson, Fox News, 9 Mar. 2024 The Luce John Doe's skeletal remains were found in October 1987 by hunters in Luce County in the Eastern Upper Peninsula. Jennifer Dixon, Detroit Free Press, 5 Mar. 2024 The phrase has entered the political lexicon, transforming from a generic term for a nonpublic person — Florida Man as John Doe — to a stand-in for former President Donald J. Trump. Patricia Mazzei Jason Andrew, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2024 Several months later, investigators found a tentative match in Loar, who was last seen wearing clothing similar to the pieces found near the remains of the John Doe back in 1998, Orange County sheriff’s officials said. Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2024 Pitt's performance is powerful in Se7en, notably crescendoing in the film's final act, when the killer John Doe (Kevin Spacey) leads the detectives into the desert. Derek Scancarelli, EW.com, 18 Dec. 2023 Loar was last seen in Bellflower wearing clothes similar to those found near John Doe, deputies said. Daniella Segura, Sacramento Bee, 6 Feb. 2024 Then after months of genealogy work, investigators were able to identify grandparents of the John Doe, according to the sheriff’s department. Liam Quinn, Peoplemag, 30 Nov. 2023 For years, the names of many of Epstein’s accusers and associates had been redacted in court documents, referred to only as a John Doe or Jane Doe. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 3 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'John Doe.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of John Doe was in 1593

Cite this Entry

“John Doe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/John%20Doe. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

John Doe

noun
: a person in legal proceedings whose true name is unknown or withheld

Legal Definition

John Doe

noun
: a party to legal proceedings (as a suspect) whose true name is unknown or withheld compare jane roe, richard roe
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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