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
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Bearded with arm tattoos, Van Dyke said little during the nearly hourlong hearing, during which he was appointed a federal public defender who declined to comment afterward. Gary D. Robertson, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026 His public defender, Amy Stone, tried to poke holes in the investigation, including questioning the lead detective, Timothy Lee, about not being thorough. Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026 The Canyon County Prosecutor’s Office agreed to drop the criminal charges against two of the protesters, including Avalon Hardy’s case, just before her public defender raised allegations in court filings about excessive force. Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 23 Apr. 2026 In the March primary, she was defeated by challenger Alicia Perez, a former public defender and prosecutor, ending her reelection campaign. Gabriella Ybarra, San Antonio Express-News, 23 Apr. 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 27 Apr. 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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