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

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

Sal Naseem's assessment that murder may have been committed has drawn fierce criticism following the acquittal of the officer.

From BBC

Trump’s Senate trial would end in acquittal, as most Republicans – including some outspoken critics like minority leader Mitch McConnell – voted against a conviction that could have led to the former president being banned from future elective office.

From BBC

While the city is not in a moment as fraught as 1992, when riots broke out in the streets following the acquittal of the officers who beat Rodney King, Martinez said there is a tension in the air.

From Los Angeles Times

"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