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

Within a few blocks of the corner where the plaintiff was hurt, about half the light poles had caps that were loose or missing, meaning they had already fallen off.

From Los Angeles Times

“Defendants devised a scheme to obtain payments through the use of coercive threats from anyone with any ties to Combs — no matter how remote,” lawyers for the unnamed plaintiff wrote.

From Los Angeles Times

That has been an obstacle for some of the plaintiffs in the copyright cases.

From Los Angeles Times

He granted a temporary injunction to the plaintiffs in the case, who are a coalition of parents with children in Louisiana’s public schools.

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