public defender

noun

: a lawyer usually holding public office whose duty is to defend accused persons unable to pay for legal assistance

Examples of public defender in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

His public defender did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment. — Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 9 July 2026

His public defender says Bonheur should get home confinement… for running a $7-million racket. — Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 7 July 2026

His public defender, Luke Stephen Mulligan, did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment. — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 7 July 2026

Walters, represented by the federal public defender’s office following his arrest in Orlando last month, was ordered detained until trial by a magistrate judge. — Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for public defender

• bartender
• contender
• engender
• extender
• offender
• pretender
• provender
• surrender
• suspender
• transgender
• bender
• blender

Legal Definition

public defender

noun

: a lawyer usually holding public office who represents criminal defendants unable to pay for legal assistance