Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

litigation

American  
[lit-i-gey-shuhn] / ˌlɪt ɪˈgeɪ ʃən /

noun

  1. the act or process of litigating.

    a matter that is still in litigation.

  2. a lawsuit.

litigation British  
/ ˌlɪtɪˈɡeɪʃən /

noun

  1. the act or process of bringing or contesting a legal action in court

  2. a judicial proceeding or contest

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

What does litigation mean? Litigation is the process of engaging in a legal proceeding, such as a lawsuit.The word litigation can also mean a lawsuit.To be in litigation typically means to be engaged in a civil legal proceeding (as opposed to a criminal one, in which one is said to be on trial). The verb litigate means engage in a legal proceeding. It can mean to bring a lawsuit or to contest one. A litigator is a lawyer, especially one who specializes in civil cases. A litigant is a person engaged in a lawsuit.Example: Their goal is to avoid litigation, so they’re going to try to get you to settle out of court.

Other Word Forms

  • nonlitigation noun
  • prelitigation noun
  • relitigation noun

Etymology

Origin of litigation

First recorded in 1560–70; from Late Latin lītigātiōn-, stem of lītigātiō “a dispute”; equivalent to litigate + -ion

Compare meaning

How does litigation compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A spokesperson previously said the district does not comment on ongoing litigation.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

For now, all eyes are on litigation involving Nashville-based Atmus Filtration, which hit the legal jackpot when its case emerged as a standard-bearer for how the reimbursement process will be sorted out.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

The litigation now before the court seeks to replace those practical decisions with a single rigid rule.

From Slate • Mar. 31, 2026

He is trying to rebuild his relationships within the Royal Family, and Buckingham Palace does not like litigation.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

There was also a laptop computer, a litigation bag with the FBI insignia in yellow, and a box of maple sugar candies—acorns, wee pilgrims, in fluted paper cups.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.