SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

Miranda warning

noun

Definition of Miranda warning

US, law

: a statement telling an arrested person about his or her Miranda rights (the legal rights to have an attorney and to refuse to answer questions)

The suspect was given a Miranda warning.

Word by Word Definitions

Miranda play

: of, relating to, or being the legal rights of an arrested person to have an attorney and to remain silent so as to avoid self-incrimination

See the full definition of Miranda

warning play

: the act of warning : the state of being warned
: something that warns or serves to warn

: serving as an alarm, signal, summons, or admonition

See the full definition of warning

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up Miranda warning? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

cathexis

play

investment of mental or emotional energy

Words at Play

Words from Letters in the Greek Alphabet

When English borrows from another alphabet

alt-5ada140ed3e28

'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

alt-5ad8fc71357ed

Words We're Watching: 'Bluebeard,' the Verb

No, it's not a coiffure trend

alt-5ad8d3361fb97

Where 'Cliff-hangers' Come From

You're on the edge of your seat

Ask the Editors

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

How we chose 'feminism'

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066

Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

video-literally

Literally

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

video-his-or-her

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

The awkward case of 'his or her'

Word Games

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Test your knowledge of strange human behaviors.

Take the quiz

cats-on-impossible-timber

More Confusing Words—Quiz

How many of these commonly confused words do you know?

Take the quiz

Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

Take the quiz

Citation

Do you know the person or title these quotes describe?

Play the game