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

Tipsters are eligible for a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the suspects. —Cbs News Atlanta Staff, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026

Then, a grand jury there declined to issue an indictment when the Justice Department tried again. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 29 Mar. 2026

This is not an indictment of individuals but of incentives built into a system structured to protect bureaucracy while classrooms absorb the pressure. —Daniel L Gordon, Daily News, 29 Mar. 2026

That is not meant as a backhanded compliment, but an indictment of the past regime. —Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 28 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