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.
Davis is represented by the Broward County public defender’s office, court records show, and CNN has sought comment from that office. Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN Money, 15 Nov. 2025 Andrew Adler, a federal public defender representing Kaye, did not immediately respond for comment on the pardon. Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 15 Nov. 2025 Ashlee Buzzard, 40, appeared in court with her public defender and was released from jail in Santa Barbara despite objections from the district attorney’s office, according to a statement from Amber Frost, a spokesperson for the district attorney. Steve Patterson, NBC news, 12 Nov. 2025 During arraignment, Elisha Oakes, an assistant county public defender, said Sandles has been living in a hotel in Romulus, has five children to support and has some past criminal history, according to video of the arraignment aired on WXYZ-TV (Channel 7). Christina Hall, Freep.com, 11 Nov. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Public defender.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/public%20defender. Accessed 19 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
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