acquittal

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noun ac·quit·tal \ə-ˈkwi-t^əl\

Definition of acquittal

: a setting free from the charge of an offense by verdict, sentence, or other legal process

See acquittal defined for English-language learners

See acquittal defined for kids

Examples of acquittal in a Sentence

The case resulted in acquittal of the defendant.
Several jurors voted for acquittal.
The case resulted in an acquittal of the defendant.

Recent Examples of acquittal from the Web

After the shooting Dae'Anna and her mother, Diamond, were detained in the back seat of a police cruiser, video of which was released after the acquittal of Yanez.

— brittney mcnamara, Teen Vogue, "Fundraiser Started to Help Daughter of Philando Castile's Girlfriend", 29 June 2017
Living as a black woman in the aftermath of the presidential election, unable to block out the news cycle of police shootings, acquittals, and assaults, my nervous system is frayed enough by new and old wounds.

— danielle jackson, Longreads, "Zadie Smith Takes on Black Pain With a Light Touch", 28 June 2017
The acquittal of Yanez, who is Latino, prompted days of protests, including one in St. Paul that shut down Interstate 94 for hours and ended with 18 arrests.

— amy forliti, The Seattle Times, "Philando Castile’s family reaches $3M settlement in death", 26 June 2017
The dash camera footage and initial interview with Yanez after the fatal confrontation were released following his acquittal.

— veronica hilbring, Essence.com, "Family Of Philando Castile Reaches $3 Million Settlement With City Of St. Anthony", 26 June 2017
The acquittal of the police officer in the murder of Philando Castile indicates the trial maybe over.

— paula rogo, Essence.com, "Daughter of Philando Castile's Fiance: ‘I Don’t Want You To Get Shooted’", 22 June 2017
A number of gun-rights advocates have criticized the acquittal.

— david a. graham, The Atlantic, "Do African Americans Have a Right to Bear Arms?", 21 June 2017
They were ignited by the acquittal of four white police officers after they were tried for the use of excessive force on Rodney King, a black taxi driver.

— New York Times, "Corrections: June 18, 2017", 17 June 2017
After his acquittal in Gallatin, Frank was then taken to Huntsville to stand trial for the payroll robbery.

— kelly kazek, AL.com, "You can own a letter written by outlaw Frank James while in Huntsville jail", 12 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'acquittal'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of acquittal

15th century

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

ACQUITTAL Defined for English Language Learners

acquittal

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noun

Definition of acquittal for English Language Learners

: the act of deciding that a person is not guilty of a crime : the act of acquitting someone

ACQUITTAL Defined for Kids

acquittal

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noun ac·quit·tal \ə-ˈkwi-t^əl\

Definition of acquittal for Students

: the act of declaring someone innocent of a crime or wrongdoing

Law Dictionary

acquittal

play

noun ac·quit·tal \ə-ˈkwit-^əl\

Legal Definition of acquittal

1 : release or discharge from debt or other liability
2 : a setting free or deliverance from the charge of an offense by verdict of a jury, judgment of a court, or other legal process — see also implied acquittal, judgment of acquittal at judgment 1a — compare conviction