complainant

noun

com·​plain·​ant kəm-ˈplā-nənt 

1

: the party who makes the complaint in a legal action or proceeding

2

: one who complains

Synonyms of complainant

• plaintiff

Examples of complainant in a Sentence

the complainant charged that the defendant had broken the ironclad contract that both had signed

Recent Examples on the Web

After speaking with the complainant, Baltimore County officer Paul Catalfamo and a second officer located a man matching the description. —Maggie Trovato, Baltimore Sun, 9 June 2026

Meanwhile, one of the responding officers identified the suspect seen in surveillance footage as the complainant in a domestic violence call earlier this year on Walnut Street. —Patrick Damp, CBS News, 14 May 2026

The severance pay period for the complainant is listed at $39,250. —John Parkinson, ABC News, 5 May 2026

Each complaint would first receive a preliminary interview with the complainant, conducted by an uninvolved supervisor and then forwarded for determination of the appropriate level of investigation. —Sierra Van Der Brug, Daily News, 4 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

complainant

noun

com·​plain·​ant kəm-ˈplā-nənt 

1

: one who makes a legal complaint

2

: one who complains

Legal Definition

complainant

noun

com·​plain·​ant kəm-ˈplā-nənt 

: the party (as a plaintiff or petitioner) who makes the complaint in a legal action or proceeding