Jane Doe

noun

: a woman who is a party to legal proceedings and whose true name is unknown or withheld

Examples of Jane Doe in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Bone Lake Jane Doe has her name back. Sarah Dahlberg, NBC news, 15 June 2026 The victim, identified only as Jane Doe in the lawsuit, and her family spoke at a news conference on Friday. Zach Boetto, CBS News, 13 June 2026 Once in the bathroom, the 15-year-old male allegedly kissed Plaintiff Jane Doe. Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2026 Glover claims in the motion to strike that Jane Doe first contacted him online in 2015. Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for Jane Doe

Word History

First Known Use

1703, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Jane Doe was in 1703

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Cite this Entry

“Jane Doe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Jane%20Doe. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

Jane Doe

noun
: a woman who is a party to legal proceedings and whose true name is unknown or withheld
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