public defender

noun

Synonyms of public defendernext
: 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.
Last month, his public defender filed a motion asking for a speedy trial, claiming the statutory period for securing one ended in April. Larry Seward, Miami Herald, 15 May 2026 The head of the federal public defender’s office in San Francisco, which represents Chindavanh, declined to comment. Andy Rose, CNN Money, 14 May 2026 The woman accused of firing 20 shots from an AR-15-style rifle at Rihanna’s Beverly Hills-area home appeared in court Wednesday and pushed back against her public defender’s request that the criminal case be suspended for a competency evaluation. Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 13 May 2026 Protecting judges, prosecutors, public defenders, and court staff is fundamental to guaranteeing access to justice, judicial independence, and the upholding of the democratic order. Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026 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

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Cite this Entry

“Public defender.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/public%20defender. Accessed 17 May. 2026.

Legal Definition

public defender

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

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