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

Prosecutor Iain Simkin KC told jurors: "Tiffany Render had become conditioned to obedience, was in thrall to the defendant and, irrespective of the risks to her own well-being, nevertheless visited him on March 22."

From BBC

Given what Smith and other prosecutors have described as the “unprecedented circumstances” of the defendant’s election, the regulatory prescription is an imperfect fit.

From Los Angeles Times

“Testing took place only after defendant initiated repairs at the station,” states the complaint.

From Los Angeles Times

Exemplary damages are punitive damages which are to punish the defendant.

From BBC

Prosecutor Bill Emlyn Jones KC told the court all three defendants were responsible for the 10-year-old's death, which happened amid a "culture of violence" which was "normalised" in the family household.

From BBC

Related Words

• litigant
• offender
• prisoner
• suspect