de·fen·dant
di-ˈfen-dənt 
in legal circles often
-ˌdant
law
: a person or group against whom a criminal or civil action is brought : someone who is being sued or accused of committing a crime
if the jury finds the defendant not guilty
compare plaintiff
Examples of defendant in a Sentence
Noun
The jury believed that the defendant was guilty.
Recent Examples on the Web
Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2024
On the other hand, the threat of a cross-examination highlighting these untested allegations undermined defendant’s right to testify.
—James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for defendant 
Noun
As a result, Scott will be among the defendants — along with Live Nation and other organizers — when the first trial, a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Astroworld victim Madison Dubiski, begins May 6.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2024
On the other hand, the threat of a cross-examination highlighting these untested allegations undermined defendant’s right to testify.
—James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for defendant
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'defendant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near defendant
Cite this Entry
“Defendant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defendant. Accessed 4 May. 2024.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
defendant
noun
de·fen·dant
di-ˈfen-dənt, -ˌdant
: the party against whom a criminal or civil action is brought see also answer, codefendant compare accused, plaintiff
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share