Jane Doe

noun

: a woman who is a party to legal proceedings and whose true name is unknown or withheld

Examples of Jane Doe 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.
What the lawsuit alleged The lead plaintiff in the Bank of America case, who filed under the pseudonym Jane Doe, is a native of Russia who met Epstein in 2011. Dan Mangan, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2026 Legal search for answers Court filings show the Police Department previously received a subpoena to allow for the inspection of evidence collected at the crime scene, including a bullet fragment, blood swabs and articles of clothing worn by Jane Doe. Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026 This allegedly prompted Lauper to put his bodyweight on Jane Doe’s head and neck, pressing her onto the bed. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026 The unidentified woman became known as Jane Doe, and in 1991, a passerby found a fourth body, later referred to as Janet Doe. Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 23 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for Jane Doe

Word History

First Known Use

1703, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Jane Doe was in 1703

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Cite this Entry

“Jane Doe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Jane%20Doe. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

Jane Doe

noun
: a woman who is a party to legal proceedings and whose true name is unknown or withheld
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