plaintiff

[ pleyn-tif ]

noun

, Law.

1. a person who brings suit in a court ( defendant ).

plaintiff

/ ˈpleɪntɪf /

noun

1. (formerly) a person who brings a civil action in a court of law Now replaced byclaimant Compare defendant

plaintiff

1. The party that institutes a suit in a court. The person or entity the plaintiff sues is the defendant .

Other Words From

• plaintiff·ship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of plaintiff¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English plaintif “complaining person,” noun use of the adjective; plaintive

Word History and Origins

Origin of plaintiff¹

C14: from legal French plaintif, from Old French plaintif (adj) complaining, from plainte plaint

Example Sentences

Quilligan continues to be taught in universities and retold in academic books as a cautionary tale of eugenics and public health gone wrong, its plaintiffs hailed as reproductive-rights heroines.

From Los Angeles Times

Campaigner and activist Margaret McGuckin, who attended the hearing to support the three plaintiffs, said they were in tears of delight at the settlements.

From BBC

Discovery stock from Feb. 23 to Aug. 7 to join as plaintiffs in the suit.

From Los Angeles Times

In addition to setting up a $43.25-million fund to pay plaintiffs, Disney agreed to hire an “Industrial/Organizational psychologist” to provide training to Disney executives overseeing the organization of jobs.

From Los Angeles Times

County Superior Court Judge Stephen Goorvitch denied a request by the plaintiffs for a temporary restraining order that would have halted enforcement of the order, but the case remains pending.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• complainant
• litigant
• prosecutor