complaint

noun com·plaint \ kəm-ˈplānt \

|Updated on: 19 Jun 2018

Examples: complaint in a Sentence

Definition of complaint

1 : expression of grief, pain, or dissatisfaction

She did her chores without complaint.

2 a : something that is the cause or subject of protest or outcry

Inefficiency was the main complaint against the local government.

b : a bodily ailment or disease

The patient's complaint was frequent headaches.

3 : a formal allegation against a party

The complaint alleges sexual harassment.

See complaint defined for English-language learners

See complaint defined for kids

Examples of complaint in a Sentence

The board has received a number of complaints about the new policy.
The company has a system to handle customer complaints.
The lack of parking spaces is a common complaint among the city's residents.
The lack of financial support is our biggest complaint.
He is being treated for a stomach complaint.
Shortness of breath was a common complaint among the patients.

Recent Examples of complaint from the Web

The complaint made in the Dunes Action matter involved allegations of potential violation of state statutes.

— amy lavalley, Post-Tribune, "Valparaiso lease deal gets further scrutiny by county officials," 15 June 2018
No complaint of vandalism or using profanity or anything else — just using their lawn!

— amy dickinson, chicagotribune.com, "Alcoholic friend should abstain from camping," 15 June 2018
Other players in the immigration debate have their own, very different complaints with the H-2A system.

— emily cadei, sacbee, "Trump administration pushes changes to farmworker visa," 15 June 2018
The complaint, filed in United States District Court for the the Middle District of Florida in Orlando, states that Novak and Simpson saw each other twice a month.

— NBC News, "Lawsuit accuses frat brothers of sharing nude imagery without woman's consent," 15 June 2018
The complaint, which alleges negligence and breach of fiduciary duty, says the Lebdas have refused to make changes and the association has not enforced covenants.

— rick rothacker, charlotteobserver, "Congressman Pittenger's latest opponent is his millionaire CEO neighbor," 14 June 2018
IGs can start investigations based on whistleblower complaints, referrals from their office’s leadership, or requests from Congress.

— andrew prokop, Vox, "The long-awaited inspector general report on the FBI, Comey, Clinton, and 2016, explained," 14 June 2018
No other hormone clinics in Kentucky are currently the subject of complaints, said the board’s general counsel, Leanne Diakov.

— andrew wolfson, The Courier-Journal, "'25 Again' doctor’s license on the line in attack on hormone therapy," 14 June 2018
The elderly woman isn't the source of complaints, neighbors say.

— OregonLive.com, "$30,000 loan by state of Oregon keeps flophouse open," 13 June 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of complaint

Middle English compleynte, from Anglo-French compleint, from compleindre — see complain

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

complaint Synonyms

COMPLAINT Defined for English Language Learners

complaint

noun

Definition of complaint for English Language Learners

: a statement that you are unhappy or not satisfied with something
: the act of saying or writing that you are unhappy or dissatisfied with something
: something to be unhappy about : something that people complain about

COMPLAINT Defined for Kids

complaint

noun com·plaint \ kəm-ˈplānt \

Definition of complaint for Students

1 : expression of grief, pain, or discontent

He does his work without complaint.

2 : a cause or reason for expressing grief, pain, or discontent

The noise is my biggest complaint.

3 : a sickness or disease of the body

a stomach complaint

4 : a charge of wrongdoing against a person

What's her complaint against me?

Medical Dictionary

complaint

noun com·plaint \ kəm-ˈplānt \

medical Definition of complaint

: a bodily ailment or disease

bloating and other digestive complaints
—Christine Gorman

Law Dictionary

complaint

noun com·plaint

legal Definition of complaint

1 : the initial pleading that starts a lawsuit and that sets forth the allegations made by the plaintiff against the defendant and the plaintiff's demand for relief — see also prayer, process, well-pleaded complaint rule — compare answer

2 : a document sworn to by a victim or police officer that sets forth a criminal violation and that serves as the charging instrument by which charges are filed and judicial proceedings commenced against a defendant in a magistrate's court — compare declaration, indictment, information

3 : petition