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

Davis helped inmates deal with a threadbare social safety net, which led to a job as an assistant public defender. — Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026

In addition to her work in private practice, Waxse, 48, works as a part-time public defender in the district. — Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 12 Aug. 2026

The season will find Lee teaming with a public defender, played by Betty Gilpin, on a case while also dealing with complications in his own life, some of them self-inflicted. — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026

But his wildly unfiltered speech grabs the attention of beautiful and brash public defender Ginger (Gilpin), herself a crusader for truth. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for public defender

• bartender
• contender
• engender
• extender
• offender
• pretender
• provender
• surrender
• suspender
• transgender
• bender
• blender

Legal Definition

public defender

noun

: a lawyer usually holding public office who represents criminal defendants unable to pay for legal assistance