defendant

1 of 2

noun

de·​fen·​dant di-ˈfen-dənt 

in legal circles often

-ˌdant 

law

: a person or group against whom a criminal or civil action is brought : someone who is being sued or accused of committing a crime

if the jury finds the defendant not guilty

compare plaintiff

defendant

2 of 2

adjective

: being on the defensive : defending

Examples of defendant in a Sentence

Noun

The jury believed that the defendant was guilty.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Following arraignment in Lowell Juvenile Court, the teen defendants were released on personal recognizance under standard conditions. —Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 24 Jan. 2026

And as a result of questions from reporters Ashley Luthern (Journal Sentinel), Ben Jordan (TMJ4), and Mario Koran (Wisconsin Watch), the DA's Office revised the list, adding two individuals and removing others, and contacting dozens of defendants whose cases may have been affected by the changes. —Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, jsonline.com, 23 Jan. 2026

Adjective

Co-defendant Sophia Shaklian, 38, of the Larchmont neighborhood of Los Angeles, pleaded guilty in November 2025 to a single count of healthcare fraud and is set for sentencing on March 24. —City News Service, Daily News, 20 Jan. 2026

Maduro was led into court along with his co-defendant wife just before noon for the brief legal proceeding. —Michael R. Sisak, Fortune, 5 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English defendaunt, borrowed from Anglo-French defendant, diffendaunt, noun derivative from present participle of defendre "to defend"

Adjective

Middle English defendaunt, from Anglo-French defendant, present participle of defendre "to defend"

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing defendant

• co-defendant

Rhymes for defendant

• appendant
• ascendant
• attendant
• dependant
• dependent
• descendant
• descendent
• intendant
• resplendent
• transcendent
• codefendant
• independent

Kids Definition

defendant

noun

de·​fend·​ant

di-ˈfen-dənt

: a person who is being sued or accused in a legal action

Legal Definition

defendant

noun

de·​fen·​dant di-ˈfen-dənt, -ˌdant 

: the party against whom a criminal or civil action is brought see also answer, codefendant compare accused, plaintiff