defendant

[ dih-fen-duhnt -dant ]

noun

1. Law. a person, company, etc., against whom a claim or charge is brought in a court ( plaintiff ).
2. Obsolete. defender.

adjective

1. making one's defense; defending:

   a defendant corporation.

2. Obsolete. defensive.

defendant

/ dɪˈfɛndənt /

noun

1. a person against whom an action or claim is brought in a court of law Compare plaintiff

adjective

1. making a defence; defending

defendant

1. The party that is being sued in court. ( Compare plaintiff .)

Other Words From

• nonde·fendant noun
• unde·fendant adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of defendant¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English defendaunt, from Anglo-French ( Middle French, Old French defendant ). See defend, -ant

Example Sentences

McMillion has denied the allegations in court filings, and he is not named as a defendant in the suit.

From Los Angeles Times

RN chairman Jordan Bardella, who is not a defendant in the case, called the prosecution's demands an "assault on democracy" in a post on X.

From BBC

The second defendant James Lawrence, from Rafters Road in Drimnagh, Dublin, was excluded as a contributor to any of the DNA profiles.

From BBC

The defendant did not respond.

From BBC

The defendant, of Old School Close in Banks, is charged with three counts of murder, 10 of attempted murder, possession of a knife, production of biological toxin, ricin, and possession of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing to commit an act of terrorism.

From BBC

Related Words

• litigant
• offender
• prisoner
• suspect