public defender

noun

: a lawyer usually holding public office whose duty is to defend accused persons unable to pay for legal assistance

Examples of public defender in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Wright has been arguably the Chiefs’ biggest public defender through it all. Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2025 The annual starting salary for a public defender in 2023 was $56,659, a Wisconsin Policy Forum analysis found, less than half of averages for all lawyers statewide. Margaret Shreiner, jsonline.com, 10 Sep. 2025 On July 28, a judge ordered Brown to get a forensic evaluation after Brown’s public defender questioned Brown’s capacity in a motion. Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025 Schuman, who is being represented by a public defender in the case, pleaded not guilty to the felony assault charge, court records show. Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for public defender

Word History

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of public defender was in 1822

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Cite this Entry

“Public defender.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/public%20defender. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

Legal Definition

public defender

noun
: a lawyer usually holding public office who represents criminal defendants unable to pay for legal assistance

More from Merriam-Webster on public defender

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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