arraignment

noun

ar·​raign·​ment ə-ˈrān-mənt also a- How to pronounce arraignment (audio)
plural -s
Synonyms of arraignmentnext
: the act of arraigning or the state of being arraigned : accusation, denunciation
the wholesale arraignment of existing educational standardsF. N. Robinson

Word History

Etymology

Middle English arreinement, from Middle French araisnement action of speaking to, from Old French, from araisnier + -ment

First Known Use

1690, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of arraignment was in 1690

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Cite this Entry

“Arraignment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arraignment. Accessed 25 Dec. 2025.

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