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

In a 5-4 decision involving the credit bureau TransUnion in 2021, the court declared that it is not enough for a plaintiff to sue over a defendant’s violation of a federal statute.

From Los Angeles Times

To have the standing to bring a federal case, the court ruled, a plaintiff must show that they have suffered a “concrete harm” stemming from the violation.

From Los Angeles Times

Assistant city attorney Hector Emilio Corea said in a sworn affidavit that he was part of a team of lawyers and staffers from the city attorney’s office who painstakingly combed through most of the plaintiff officers’ backgrounds.

From Los Angeles Times

“H.B. 71 is a direct infringement of our religious-freedom rights, and we’re pleased and relieved that the court ruled in our favor,” plaintiff Rev. Darcy Roake said in a statement following the ruling.

From Salon

Rob Reynolds, an Iraq war veteran who acts as a spokesman for the plaintiff veterans, said they are upset but not discouraged.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• complainant
• litigant
• prosecutor