acquittal

[ uh-kwit-l ]

noun

1. the act of acquitting; discharge.
2. the state of being acquitted; release.
3. the discharge or settlement of a debt, obligation, etc.
4. Law. judicial deliverance from a criminal charge on a verdict or finding of not guilty.

acquittal

1. The judgment of a court that a person charged with a crime is not guilty.

Other Words From

• nonac·quittal noun
• preac·quittal noun
• proac·quittal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of acquittal¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English a(c)quitaille, from Anglo-French; equivalent to acquit + -al ²

Example Sentences

While he’s charged officers in shootings far more frequently than his predecessors, those cases have often ended in acquittals, dismissals or plea deals with minimal jail time.

From Los Angeles Times

It was actually Marks' own book that he had written after the 1981 acquittal that helped Lovato piece together his operation and identify the other criminals he worked with.

From BBC

In 2011, a trial into allegations of police corruption collapsed leading to the acquittal of eight former officers who denied the charges against them.

From BBC

"The acquittal of Martyn Blake isn't just a failure for our family but for all those affected by police violence," she said.

From BBC

On Monday, Mr Kaba's family said they were devastated by the verdict, and that the acquittal of Mr Blake "wasn't just a failure for our family, but for all those affected by police violence".

From BBC