indictment

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noun in·dict·ment \ in-ˈdīt-mənt \

Definition of indictment

1 a :the action or the legal process of indicting

b :the state of being indicted

2 :a formal written statement framed by a prosecuting authority and found by a jury (such as a grand jury) charging a person with an offense

3 :an expression of strong disapproval

an indictment of government policy on immigrants

See indictment defined for English-language learners

See indictment defined for kids

Examples of indictment in a Sentence

The grand jury has handed down indictments against several mobsters.
No one was surprised by her indictment.
She intended the film to be an indictment of the media.

Recent Examples of indictment from the Web

Crime Solvers will pay a reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment.

— Washington Post, "Crime report for Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties," 30 Aug. 2017
A grand jury indictment filed in San Diego federal court accuses Alvaro Lopez Nuñez, 38, and five close associates of doling out drugs to smugglers and smuggling the narcotics into the U.S. themselves from May 2005 to August 2016.

— david hernandez, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Brother of Sinaloa cartel leader arrested at border in Arizona," 18 Aug. 2017
That resulted in indictments on the four felony charges.

— carol robinson, AL.com, "Gardendale man charged with sex abuse of 2 young girls," 11 Aug. 2017
Transmar’s alleged dealings were centered on borrowing-base reports, which are required by banks as frequently as weekly as a condition for supplying credit, according to an indictment unsealed in Manhattan federal court.

— isis almeida, Bloomberg.com, "The Email Subject Line That Tipped Off the Feds to Alleged Fraud Scheme," 10 Aug. 2017
He was indicted on six counts of robberies of restaurants in Chicago, Alsip, Lansing and Des Plaines, according to a copy of the indictment provided by the bureau.

— mike nolan, Daily Southtown, "Gary man who had been deported twice indicted in string of Chicago-area restaurant robberies: FBI," 9 Aug. 2017
Last week, special counsel Robert Mueller impaneled a grand jury in Washington, D.C., in the latest sign that the F.B.I. probe is moving toward potential indictments.

— isobel thompson, The Hive, "Pence Swears He’s Not Running for Trump’s Second Term," 7 Aug. 2017
Until 4:44, Jay-Z’s albums could be understood as an indictment of the immorality of capitalism by a man luxuriating in its fruits.

— adam serwer, The Atlantic, "The Story of Jay-Z," 7 July 2017
Acting U.S attorney for the southern district of Alabama, Steve Butler, announced that a Montgomery Grand Jury handed down a 27-count indictment against Tarabein on June 16.

— prescotte stokes iii, AL.com, "Pain doctor laundered millions overseas; Threatened employees and patients, court documents reveal," 5 July 2017

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

First Known Use of indictment

14th century

indictment Synonyms

Synonyms

complaint, count, charge, rap

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

INDICTMENT Defined for English Language Learners

indictment

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noun

Definition of indictment for English Language Learners

law : an official written statement charging a person with a crime
: the act of officially charging someone with a crime : the act of indicting someone
: an expression or statement of strong disapproval

Law Dictionary

indictment

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noun in·dict·ment \ in-ˈdīt-mənt \

legal Definition of indictment

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