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 Word Forms

• 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

He added that 4 March had been a joyful day for his family because of Jagtar's acquittal in the first case.

From BBC

Last September, hundreds of people gathered at a court in Shizuoka, a city on Japan's south coast, where a judge handed down the acquittal - to loud cheers of "banzai", or "hurray" in Japanese.

From BBC

Indian officials have said their acquittals would have no bearing on the case in India.

From BBC

A BBC Hindi analysis has found that more than 80% of the cases related to the violence where courts gave decisions have resulted in acquittals or discharges.

From BBC

Following his acquittal, Rihanna expressed her gratitude on social media, stating, "The glory belongs to God and God alone! Thankful, humbled by his mercy!"

From BBC