indictment

noun

in·​dict·​ment in-ˈdīt-mənt 

plural indictments

1

: a formal written statement prepared by a prosecuting authority charging a person with a crime and returned by a jury (such as a grand jury) upon finding that sufficient evidence to support it was presented

The state filed a one-hundred-count indictment against him that included murder, drug trafficking, prostitution, arson, and scores of other crimes.

—Sidney Sheldon

The grand jury handed up Indictment No. 2 on November 19, 1998.

—US v. Barnes, 251 F. 3d 251 (Court of Appeals, 1st Circuit 2001)

If a district attorney takes or agrees to take from any person money … and an indictment is handed down or a presentment is made to this effect, the district attorney shall be disqualified from further discharging his or her official duties until a trial is had upon the indictment or presentment.

—Official Code of Georgia Annotated, section 15-18-26 (2022)

2

a

: the action or the legal process of indicting

Felony cases are typically charged by indictment.

… reporters keen on finding out which City Hall figures were in danger of indictment …

—Andy Logan

The accused person, after indictment, is brought before the court. He may plead guilty or not guilty. If the plea is guilty, the judge sentences the person. If the plea is not guilty, a trial is held.

—Stanley E. Dimond and Elmer F. Pflieger

b

: the state of being indicted

He was frequently known to proceed with sales despite strong evidence that ownership of lots was in question—in one case a seller was under indictment for forgery and grand larceny.

—Douglas C. McGill

3

: an expression of strong disapproval

an indictment of government policy on immigrants

She intended the film to be an indictment of the media.

… the book is a stinging indictment of American political history …

—Debra Rae Cohen

Synonyms of indictment

• count
• allegation
• charge
• accusation

Examples of indictment in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Last fall, federal authorities announced a wave of criminal indictments, forfeitures, sanctions and asset freezes targeting North Korea’s illicit cyber activity. —Lisa Cavazuti, NBC news, 15 Mar. 2026

For months, the South End brewery once known as Sycamore sat empty, a conspicuously quiet building after the arrest and indictment of its co-founder, Justin Brigham, on child rape charges late last year. —Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 15 Mar. 2026

Its preliminary success and subsequent meltdown is another indictment of those who think that welcoming big names and events — the World Cup, the Olympics — is the way to save us. —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026

According to a 2024 indictment in Crump’s case, assaults are often committed by the club in order to protect and expand territory, intimidate rivals, conceal members from law enforcement and advance extracurricular criminal projects. —Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing indictment

• bill of indictment

Rhymes for indictment

• excitement
• incitement

Video

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Kids Definition

indictment

noun

in·​dict·​ment in-ˈdīt-mənt 

1

: the act or process of indicting

2

: an official written statement charging a person with a crime

Legal Definition

indictment

noun

in·​dict·​ment in-ˈdīt-mənt 

1

: the action or the legal process of indicting

2

a

: a formal written statement framed by a prosecuting authority and found by a grand jury that charges a person or persons with an offense compare complaint, information

b

: bill of indictment at bill 3b