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
Examples of defendant in a Sentence
Noun
The jury believed that the defendant was guilty.
Recent Examples on the Web
Stepheny Price , Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 22 Dec. 2025
Accused are not co-defendants In requesting a continuance in Miller’s case, prosecutors noted that in Mays’ case, two months have been set aside to engage in jury selection and begin trial, which is expected to last two weeks.
—Kansas City Star, 22 Dec. 2025
Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2025
In addition to MiniMax, the media companies name as a defendant parent company Shanghai Xiyu Jizhi Technology Co. Ltd.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defendant
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Noun
Defense attorneys argue no recusal occurred and no ethical firewall was established to isolate the conflict, steps courts typically require to protect a defendant’s right to a fair and impartial prosecution.
—Stepheny Price , Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 22 Dec. 2025
Accused are not co-defendants In requesting a continuance in Miller’s case, prosecutors noted that in Mays’ case, two months have been set aside to engage in jury selection and begin trial, which is expected to last two weeks.
—Kansas City Star, 22 Dec. 2025
Adjective
In late August, a jury found a co-defendant guilty of voluntary manslaughter in both killings as well as two counts each of armed criminal action and stealing a firearm.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2025
In addition to MiniMax, the media companies name as a defendant parent company Shanghai Xiyu Jizhi Technology Co. Ltd.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defendant
Cite this Entry
“Defendant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defendant. Accessed 25 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal 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
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