plead

[ pleed ]

verb (used without object)

, plead·ed or pled [pled], plead·ing.

1. to appeal or entreat earnestly:

   to plead for time.

   Synonyms: supplicate, beg

2. to use arguments or persuasions, as with a person, for or against something:

   She pleaded with him not to take the job.

   Synonyms: reason

3. to afford an argument or appeal:

   His youth pleads for him.

4. Law.
   1. to make any allegation or plea in an action at law.
   2. to put forward an answer on the part of a defendant to a legal declaration or charge.
   3. to address a court as an advocate.
   4. Obsolete. to prosecute a suit or action at law.

verb (used with object)

, plead·ed or pled [pled], plead·ing.

1. to allege or urge in defense, justification, or excuse:

   to plead ignorance.

   Synonyms: claim

2. Law.
   1. to maintain (a cause) by argument before a court.
   2. to allege or set forth (something) formally in an action at law.
   3. to allege or cite in legal defense:

      to plead a statute of limitations.

plead

/ pliːd /

verb

1. whenintr, often foll by with to appeal earnestly or humbly (to)
2. tr; may take a clause as object to give as an excuse; offer in justification or extenuation

   to plead ignorance

   he pleaded that he was insane

3. introften foll byfor to provide an argument or appeal (for)

   her beauty pleads for her

4. law to declare oneself to be (guilty or not guilty) in answer to the charge
5. law to advocate (a case) in a court of law
6. intr law
   1. to file pleadings
   2. to address a court as an advocate

Derived Forms

• ˈpleader, noun
• ˈpleadable, adjective

Other Words From

• re·plead verb repleaded repleading
• un·pleaded adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of plead¹

First recordd in 1200–50; Middle English plaiden, from< Old French plaid(i)er “to go to law, plead,” from early Medieval Latin placitāre “to litigate,” derivative of Latin placitum “opinion, agreed condition.” See plea

Word History and Origins

Origin of plead¹

C13: from Old French plaidier, from Medieval Latin placitāre to have a lawsuit, from Latin placēre to please; see plea

Example Sentences

He reached an agreement with prosecutors which saw him plead guilty to civil disorder and spent three months in federal prison in 2022.

From BBC

Current Rancho Santa Margarita city council member Carol Gamble will plead guilty to falsifying records to put her name on the ballot in exchange for a plea deal.

From Los Angeles Times

In 1982, Carson would plead no contest to a misdemeanor count for driving over the legal limit.

From Salon

Last year, Keen-Warren agreed to plead guilty to second degree murder charges.

From BBC

If California decided to pick an official state flavor profile, I’d head to Sacramento with a jar of this sweet treat in hand and plead my case.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• allege
• argue
• assert
• cite
• declare
• maintain
• respond