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

Best appeared in court Thursday accompanied by his attorney, federal public defender Shea Lynn Watts, to hear whether his plea was accepted and what his sentence would be, according to court records. — Arkansas Online, 17 July 2026

Attempts by the Statesman to reach the man’s public defender were not successful. — Alex Brizee july 17, Idaho Statesman, 17 July 2026

Court records show Wright is being represented by a public defender. — Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026

Push for rehabilitation Wilson's public defender, Donna D'Alessio, said her client had changed his ways and had been making progress behind bars in achieving his high school diploma. — Julie Hanson, CBS News, 13 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