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
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.
For decades, the set of remains were dubbed Scattered Man John Doe until New Jersey State Police teamed up with the Ramapo College of New Jersey’s Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center to identified the person. David Matthews, New York Daily News, 22 May 2025 New documentary shows how a trio of brothers were instrumental in shaping SoCal punk John Doe said he was conflicted about the gig. Jim Ruland, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2025 An investigation into his death was opened, but Parks remained a John Doe until just last month, after an investigator from the sheriff’s department in Orange County, California, offered to help identify him using forensic genealogy in 2024. Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 10 May 2025 Van Arsdale said the inconsistencies in John Doe’s story were due to a clerical error in filing. Elizabeth Wagmeister, CNN Money, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for John Doe

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 25 May. 2025.

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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