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.
Frontline Dignity also brought public defenders to speak to the crowd about their rights. Ricky Sayer, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026 Tippecanoe Superior Court 2 Judge Steve Meyer was first elected to the position in 2014, according to ABC News, after previously serving as a public defender for Tippecanoe County and on the Lafayette City Council. Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026 McKee appeared in an Illinois courtroom Monday and was represented by a public defender who said the physician plans to plead not guilty. Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 16 Jan. 2026 Following Jackson’s departure, Reiner is being represented by public defender Kimberly Greene, according to TMZ. Joseph Wilkinson, Mercury News, 16 Jan. 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 24 Jan. 2026.

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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