complaint

noun

com·​plaint kəm-ˈplānt 

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

: the initial pleading that starts a lawsuit and that sets forth the plaintiff's allegations against the defendant

b

: a document sworn to by a crime victim or police officer that sets forth a criminal offense and commences proceedings in a magistrate's court

Synonyms of complaint

• grievance
• whine
• moan
• fuss
• lament
• bitch

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 on the Web

Thursday, a complaint brought a Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation inspector to Charleys Philly Steaks at Plantation’s Broward Mall and the inspector found enough bugginess to shut down the chain location. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 21 Dec. 2025

In 2023, a total of 71 police complaints were investigated in the county, according to department data. —Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 21 Dec. 2025

Micro-shorts, very low-cut tops, or shirts that leave a large amount of midriff exposed can prompt conversation with the crew or, in some cases, complaints from fellow passengers. —Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 20 Dec. 2025

According to the lawsuit, Moore filed a discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in March, before applying again to the department in April. —Benjamin Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 20 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing complaint

• counter-complaint
• grounds for complaint

Rhymes for complaint

• acquaint
• constraint
• distraint
• enceinte
• repaint
• restraint
• faint
• feint
• maint
• paint
• plaint
• quaint

Kids Definition

complaint

noun

com·​plaint kəm-ˈplānt 

1

: expression of grief, pain, or resentment

2

a

: a cause or reason for complaining

the noise was her biggest complaint

b

: a pain or sickness in the body

3

: a charge of illegal wrongdoing against a person

Medical Definition

complaint

noun

com·​plaint kəm-ˈplānt 

: a bodily ailment or disease

bloating and other digestive complaints

—Christine Gorman

Legal Definition

complaint

noun

com·​plaint

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