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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The attorney was identified by police as 51-year-old public defender Renato Campos Pinto de Vitto. Joseph Wilkinson, Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2025 Her opponent, Garrett Burton, a public defender at the Michigan State Appellate Defender Office, garnered about 44%. Andrea May Sahouri, Freep.com, 5 Nov. 2025 Prior to the sentencing, the defense objected to imposing any court fees or fines, saying Jake Haro is indigent and a public defender client. Megan Forrester, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2025 The local public defender’s office announced the death toll, though Rio state Governor Cláudio Castro cautioned that forensic work was still underway. Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 30 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for public defender

Word History

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of public defender was in 1822

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Public defender.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/public%20defender. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.

Legal Definition

public defender

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

More from Merriam-Webster on public defender

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!