plea

noun

\ ˈplē

Definition of plea

1 : a legal suit or action

2 : an allegation made by a party in support of a cause: such as

a : an allegation of fact — compare demurrer entry 1

b(1) : a defendant's answer to a plaintiff's declaration in common-law practice

(2) : an accused person's answer to a charge or indictment in criminal practice

c : a plea of guilty to an indictment

3 : something offered by way of excuse or justification left early with the plea of a headache

4 : an earnest entreaty : appeal their plea for understanding must be answered

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about plea

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Choose the Right Synonym for plea

apology, apologia, excuse, plea, pretext, alibi mean matter offered in explanation or defense. apology usually applies to an expression of regret for a mistake or wrong with implied admission of guilt or fault and with or without reference to mitigating or extenuating circumstances. said by way of apology that he would have met them if he could apologia implies not admission of guilt or regret but a desire to make clear the grounds for some course, belief, or position. his speech was an apologia for his foreign policy excuse implies an intent to avoid or remove blame or censure. used illness as an excuse for missing the meeting plea stresses argument or appeal for understanding or sympathy or mercy. her usual plea that she was nearsighted pretext suggests subterfuge and the offering of false reasons or motives in excuse or explanation. used any pretext to get out of work alibi implies a desire to shift blame or evade punishment and imputes mere plausibility to the explanation. his alibi failed to stand scrutiny

Examples of plea in a Sentence

We are making a plea to all companies to stop polluting the environment. The defendant entered a plea of not guilty.

Recent Examples on the Web

Lakshmi’s plea coincides with protesters across the country who are demanding the closure of detention facilities holding migrant children and families, according to CNN. — Diane J. Cho, PEOPLE.com, "Padma Lakshmi Bakes a 'Truly American Pie' for July 4th with Message for Trump Administration," 4 July 2019 The website contains testimonials from trail users and a plea for the state to buy the land and incorporate it into Chugach State Park. — Matt Tunseth, Anchorage Daily News, "Popular trail on private land near Eagle River’s Mount Baldy closed to the public," 4 July 2019 By then, the prosecutor had offered White two to three years of probation in exchange for a plea. — Ava Kofman, ProPublica, "Digital Jail: How Electronic Monitoring Drives Defendants Into Debt," 3 July 2019 Under a Florida state court plea deal, Epstein pleaded guilty to two prostitution charges. — Kevin Mccoy, USA TODAY, "Appeals court: Jeffrey Epstein underage sex ring lawsuit allegations should be made public," 3 July 2019 Julian Banda, 18, pleaded guilty to two amended counts of possession of THC during a plea/sentencing hearing Monday, July 1. — Karen Pilarski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Former Brookfield Central High School star athlete Julian Banda has been sentenced to probation in drug case," 1 July 2019 The difference in jail time for a guilty plea versus a not guilty one is staggering. — Sarah Midkiff, refinery29.com, "Lori Loughlin Is Reportedly Questioning Her Decision To Plead Not Guilty," 30 June 2019 Hours after a New York Police Department officer died by suicide, Frank Dowling, a psychiatrist who works with members of the NYPD, tweeted a plea to those in uniform. — NBC News, "Fourth NYPD officer suicide in 3 weeks a reminder of 'combustible' situation," 30 June 2019 During his Wednesday court appearance, a plea of not guilty was entered and a pretrial conference was scheduled for Aug. 7, according to online court records. — Justin L. Mack, Indianapolis Star, "Indiana judge charged in shooting appears in court, ordered to stay away from White Castle," 28 June 2019

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

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Dictionary Entries near plea

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Last Updated

8 Jul 2019

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Time Traveler for plea

The first known use of plea was in the 13th century

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More Definitions for plea

plea

noun

English Language Learners Definition of plea

: a serious and emotional request for something

: a statement in which a person who has been accused of a crime says in court that he or she is guilty or not guilty of the crime

: a statement in which a person says that he or she is guilty of a particular crime : a plea of guilty

See the full definition for plea in the English Language Learners Dictionary

plea

noun

\ ˈplē

Kids Definition of plea

1 : an earnest appeal The prisoner made a plea for mercy.

2 : something offered as a defense or excuse

plea

noun

\ ˈplē

Legal Definition of plea

1a : an allegation of fact in civil litigation made in response to a claim — compare demurrer

b : a defendant's answer to a plaintiff's claim in civil litigation

Note: Under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and in states where they have been adopted, civil pleas are abolished, and answers and motions are used instead. Such pleas were used at common law.

— dilatory plea \ ˈdi-lə-ˌtōr-ē- \

: a common-law plea which is intended to defeat the pending action or proceeding without involving any decision on the merits of the case

— plea in abatement

: a plea entered by a party seeking postponement or dismissal of an action by setting forth some matter or defect regarding procedure, jurisdiction, or timing

— called also plea of abatement

— plea in bar

: a plea that alleges the existence of an absolute bar (as a statute of limitations) to an action

— plea of abatement

: plea in abatement in this entry

2a : an accused party's answer to a criminal charge or indictment

b : a plea of guilty

3 : an earnest entreaty