: being, involving, or doing professional and especially legal work donated especially for the public good
pro bono work
pro bono adverb

Did you know?

In Latin, pro bono publico means "for the public good;" in English we generally shorten the phrase to pro bono. Donating free legal help to those who need it has long been a practice of American law firms; the American Bar Association actually recommends that all lawyers donate 50 hours a year. Pro bono work is sometimes donated by nonlegal firms as well. For example, an advertising firm might produce a 60-second video for an environmental or educational organization, or a strategic-planning firm might prepare a start-up plan for a charity that funds shelters for battered women.

Examples of pro bono in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But Lara’s case seemed so outrageous, that IJ took it pro bono and filed suit against the DEA on August 31, 2021, more than six months after Lara’s property was seized. Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024 At the behest of Death Row abolitionist Sister Helen Prejean (of Dead Man Walking fame), lawyer Don Knight took on Glossip’s case pro bono in 2014. Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2024 Gomez, who worked pro bono on the case, has devoted much of her career to advocating for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) cases. Arlyssa D. Becenti, The Arizona Republic, 24 Sep. 2024 By that time, the Menendez brothers' estate had run out of money, so Abramson agreed to represent Erik pro bono, and a public defender, Charles Gessler, was assigned to Lyle. Samantha Stutsman, Peoplemag, 24 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pro bono 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pro bono.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin pro bono publico for the public good

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pro bono was in 1966

Dictionary Entries Near pro bono

Cite this Entry

“Pro bono.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pro%20bono. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Legal Definition

pro bono

adverb or adjective
ˌprō-ˈbō-nō
: being, involving, or doing legal work donated especially for the public good
Etymology

Latin pro bono publico for the public good

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!