pleading

American  

[plee-ding] / ˈpli dɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of a person who pleads.

2. Law.

   1. the advocating of a cause in a court of law.

   2. the art or science of setting forth or drawing pleas in legal causes.

   3. a formal statement, usually written, setting forth the cause of action or defense of a case.

   4. pleadings, the successive statements delivered alternately by plaintiff and defendant until the issue is joined.

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pleading British  

/ ˈpliːdɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of presenting a case in court, as by a lawyer on behalf of his client

2. the art or science of preparing the formal written statements of the parties to a legal action See also pleadings

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Other Word Forms

• nonpleading adjective
• nonpleadingly adverb
• pleadingly adverb
• pleadingness noun
• unpleading adjective

Etymology

Origin of pleading

1250–1300; Middle English pledynge (gerund). See plead, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

There have been some successful prosecutions: 32 of the 116 people whose arrests in California we reviewed have been convicted, many pleading guilty to misdemeanor charges.

From Salon • Apr. 15, 2026

The person you are pleading with is a character you have created.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

After previously pleading guilty partway through a trial, they appeared at Cardiff Crown Court for sentencing, with a judge describing them as "having leading roles in a sophisticated and successful" operation.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

Initially, it seemed like he might make out fine, even as he insisted on pleading guilty.

From Slate • Mar. 25, 2026

Dancing like schoolboys, Bull and Virgil went from one boy to the other as though touching bases, pleading with them to rise and fight again.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy