respondent

1 of 2

noun

re·​spon·​dent ri-ˈspän-dənt 

1

: one who responds: such as

a

: one who maintains a thesis in reply

b(1)

: one who answers in various legal proceedings (as in equity cases)

(2)

: the prevailing party in the lower court

c

: a person who responds to a poll

2

: a reflex that occurs in response to a specific external stimulus compare operant

respondent

2 of 2

adjective

1

: making response : responsive

especially : being a respondent at law

2

: relating to or being behavior or responses to a stimulus that are followed by a reward

respondent conditioning

compare operant sense 3

Examples of respondent in a Sentence

Noun

A majority of respondents said they disagreed with the mayor's plan.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The report showed that 37 percent of CP CEO respondents said AI is delivering measurable impact in supply chain and procurement. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2026

Long Angle ran a flash poll after the Fed rate hike with 53% of respondents seeing the biggest upside in tech, with energy and utilities. — Frank Holland, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026

Adjective

These datasets include, among dozens of other fields, case outcome, respondent birth year, nationality and primary language, relief applied for, and if the most recent proceeding was an in absentia hearing. — Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 11 Sep. 2026

The respondent pool was also balanced geographically, and the study took place from June 1 through 9, 2026. — Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 8 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin respondent-, respondens, present participle of respondēre

First Known Use

Noun

1528, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1658, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for respondent

• despondent
• correspondent
• fondant

Medical Definition

respondent

1 of 2 noun

re·​spon·​dent ri-ˈspän-dənt 

: a reflex that occurs in response to a specific external stimulus

the knee jerk is a typical respondent

respondent

2 of 2 adjective

: relating to or being behavior or responses to a stimulus that are followed by a reward

respondent conditioning

compare operant

Legal Definition

respondent

noun

re·​spon·​dent ri-ˈspän-dənt 

: one who answers or defends in various proceedings: as

a

: an answering party in an equitable proceeding

b

: a party against whom a petition (as for a writ of habeas corpus) seeking relief is brought

c

: an answering party in a proceeding in juvenile court or family court

specifically : a party against whom a divorce proceeding is brought

d

: a party prevailing at trial who defends the outcome on appeal : appellee