plaintiff

[ pleyn-tif ]

noun

, Law.

1. a person who brings suit in a court ( defendant ).

plaintiff

/ ˈpleɪntɪf /

noun

1. See defendant
   (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

Conventional wisdom holds that cleaning up a company’s environmental record is more expensive than paying fines, settling with plaintiffs, or dodging the liability altogether.

From Quartz

Shalini Dogra, one of the attorneys for the plaintiffs, declined to say exactly what ingredients the lab tests revealed.

From Washington Post

Another plaintiff, who works as a massage therapist, said his account was suspended for 42 days in early 2020 after he posted messages about the coronavirus pandemic.

From Washington Post

The health care industry was among those that welcomed the changes, and in 2011, the legislature strengthened the state’s medical malpractice laws, making claims harder to file and capping what plaintiffs could collect.

From ProPublica

In this case, a Justice Department lawyer, writing on Pence’s behalf, wrote that the interests of Gohmert and the other plaintiffs were not sufficiently opposed to Pence’s own — since they were seeking to expand his power — to justify a suit.

From Washington Post

Officer Eddie Boyd then started beating plaintiff in the head and body by punching him over and over.

From The Daily Beast

But the brain tumor plaintiff does not have to say what he would have done.

From The Daily Beast

Other plaintiff companies include Stone River Management Co. and Dunstone Co. 9.

From The Daily Beast

United States District Judge Nanette Laughrey ruled for the plaintiff, awarding her $450,0000.

From The Daily Beast

“While there have been well-documented rumors and cases filed, he was sued and the plaintiff lost the lawsuit,” he said.

From The Daily Beast

The Judge inquired if that was the sole object of the plaintiff, or was it not rather baiting with a sprat to catch a herring?

From Project Gutenberg

The issue in an action for defamation is not the character of the plaintiff, but the wrongfulness of the particular statement.

From Project Gutenberg

It is enough if the defendant induces an ill opinion to be held of the plaintiff, or to make him contemptible or ridiculous.

From Project Gutenberg

If the defendant attempt evasion or flight, the plaintiff shall take him by force.

From Project Gutenberg

Then: "Your Honor, the plaintiff desires to withdraw all charges at this time."

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• complainant
• litigant
• prosecutor