litigation

noun

lit·​i·​ga·​tion ˌli-tə-ˈgā-shən 

plural litigations

: the act, process, or practice of settling a dispute in a court of law : the act or process of litigating

an issue that has been in litigation for years

an attorney who specializes in the litigation of property disputes

The American Judicial System generally limits the filing of lawsuits to individuals with a personal stake in the litigation, but there are instances when litigants cannot themselves prosecute an action.

—Jonathan Mahler

also : a legal action or proceeding (such as a lawsuit)

"You can't realize how much it costs to run one of these litigations. To get a battery of lawyers into a courtroom and do all the planning … and so on costs $500,000."

—Gordon Gould

Examples of litigation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Court filings from separate litigation indicate Khiell Dukes is Dukes’ brother and Ramsey is the rapper’s half-brother. —Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026

Furthermore, the proposal would simplify the department’s enforcement efforts, reduce burdensome litigation, and promote greater uniformity in court analyses. —Keith Sonderling, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026

Bayer acquired Roundup maker Monsanto for $63 billion in 2018 and has faced years of litigation since the deal was completed, amid claims that glyphosate, an ingredient in the weedkiller, has been the cause of health issues, including cancer. —Chloe Taylor,hugh Leask,holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 28 Apr. 2026

With the mediation agreement rejected, litigation between the town and developers will now move forward. —Cbs News Miami, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing litigation

• in litigation

Rhymes for litigation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation