pleading

[ plee-ding ]

noun

1. the act of a person who pleads.
2. Law.
   1. the advocating of a cause in a court of law.
   2. the art or science of setting forth or drawing pleas in legal causes.
   3. a formal statement, usually written, setting forth the cause of action or defense of a case.
   4. pleadings, the successive statements delivered alternately by plaintiff and defendant until the issue is joined.

pleading

/ ˈpliːdɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of presenting a case in court, as by a lawyer on behalf of his client
2. the art or science of preparing the formal written statements of the parties to a legal action See also pleadings

Other Words From

• pleading·ly adverb
• pleading·ness noun
• non·pleading adjective
• non·pleading·ly adverb
• un·pleading adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pleading¹

1250–1300; Middle English pledynge (gerund). See plead, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

He initially lied to FBI agents who were investigating City Hall corruption, eventually pleading guilty in 2020 to a single count of conspiring to violate federal anti-racketeering law.

From Los Angeles Times

The former party press officer has now been sentenced to 18 months after pleading guilty to a series of sex offences.

From BBC

After appearing at North Tyneside Magistrates' Court on 12 September and pleading not guilty to the charges, Hoganson had been on conditional bail.

From BBC

The man caring for an internet-famous squirrel named Peanut is pleading with New York authorities to return it after it was seized by authorities.

From BBC

After pleading not guilty to possessing a concealed gun in public, Warren was released subject to electronic monitoring by the Probation Department, court records show.

From Los Angeles Times