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

According to court records, Miller was assigned two federal public defenders. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2026

Last month, Burke abruptly parted ways with his legal team and asked to be represented by public defenders. — Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 7 Sep. 2026

His public defender didn't immediately return messages for comment. — Luke Barr, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026

Rapper D4vd is being represented by a public defender in his murder case. — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 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