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
Those payouts cover billable hours, plus reimbursements for such expenses as travel, meals and lodging, Patrick Orr, spokesperson for the state public defender’s office, told the Statesman.
—
Kevin Fixler
june 26,
Idaho Statesman,
26 June 2026
The latter is a democratic socialist who hasn't held public office before and works at a public defender's office providing legal aid to victims of police brutality.
—
ABC News,
23 June 2026
Ruhtenberg had spent 15 years as a public defender for the state of Iowa.
—
Huo Jingnan,
NPR,
23 June 2026
These types of commissions, which have facilitated significant improvements in other states’ public defender systems, are usually established by the governor.
—
Anat Rubin,
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for public defender
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.
Kevin Fixler
june 26,
Idaho Statesman,
26 June 2026
The latter is a democratic socialist who hasn't held public office before and works at a public defender's office providing legal aid to victims of police brutality.
—
ABC News,
23 June 2026
Ruhtenberg had spent 15 years as a public defender for the state of Iowa.
—
Huo Jingnan,
NPR,
23 June 2026
These types of commissions, which have facilitated significant improvements in other states’ public defender systems, are usually established by the governor.
—
Anat Rubin,
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for public defender
Cite this Entry
“Public defender.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/public%20defender. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
