1
: a party to legal proceedings whose true name is unknown
2
: an average man
Examples of John Doe in a Sentence
to John Doe the most important issues in any election are usually those that affect his wallet
Recent Examples on the Web
When Sidney and Gale (Courteney Cox) visit Fallbrook Psychiatric Hospital, an employee named Marco (Ethan Embry) recognizes Stu as a John Doe patient who was recently released, seemingly confirming the calls are coming from the real deal.
—
Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026
As Norther Territory police focus on the large-scale investigation for two missing backpackers, Dulcie and the very reluctant Eddie are tasked with identifying the John Doe.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2026
The organization conducted more DNA testing and confirmed in December 2025 that John Doe was Eddie Devone.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
Investigators were led to potential relatives of the man, and reference DNA samples were collected from a relative and compared with those of John Doe.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for John Doe
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Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026
As Norther Territory police focus on the large-scale investigation for two missing backpackers, Dulcie and the very reluctant Eddie are tasked with identifying the John Doe.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2026
The organization conducted more DNA testing and confirmed in December 2025 that John Doe was Eddie Devone.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
Investigators were led to potential relatives of the man, and reference DNA samples were collected from a relative and compared with those of John Doe.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for John Doe
Cite this Entry
“John Doe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/John%20Doe. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
John Doe
noun
: a person in legal proceedings whose true name is unknown or withheld
Legal Definition
John Doe
noun
: a party to legal proceedings (as a suspect) whose true name is unknown or withheld compare jane roe, richard roe
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