arraignment
Americannoun
-
Law. an act or instance of bringing someone before a criminal court to hear an indictment, or formal charge, against them and to enter a plea in response to that charge.
At her arraignment Crane pleaded not guilty, and the trial was set for May 21.
-
a calling into question or a finding fault, especially with respect to the value or virtue of something; critical examination.
In his arraignment of the basic weaknesses in the nation's social fabric, he drew special attention to racism.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of arraignment
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English arainement, from Middle French araisnement; equivalent to arraign + -ment
Explanation
If the police think you pulled a diamond heist, and they have enough evidence to charge you with that crime, you'll be called to court for your arraignment, when you can plead guilty or not guilty. The trial comes next. Arraignment comes from the French word aresnier, which means to address, or speak reasonably. It's almost only used in the legal sense as answering for yourself, or pleading, "guilty" or "not guilty." The verb arraign means to call someone before the court to answer an accusation (called in legal speak, an indictment), so an arraignment is either the piece of paper that calls you to court, or the hearing in which that charge is read to you.
Vocabulary lists containing arraignment
Touching Spirit Bear
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In Cold Blood
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This Week in Words: Current Events Vocabulary for April 1–April 7, 2023
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
An accused person gives birth at the arraignment.
From MarketWatch • May 18, 2026
A Los Angeles Superior Court judge issued a bench warrant for his arrest on Jan. 20 after he failed to appear at his arraignment, according to court records.
From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026
The “Toxic” singer is not required to appear in person at Monday’s arraignment because the charge is a misdemeanor.
From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026
Her court arraignment is scheduled for next Monday morning, though she is not required to attend in person as it is a minor charge.
From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026
Soon after the original arraignment of Smith and Hickock, their advocates appeared before Judge Tate to argue a motion urging comprehensive psychiatric examinations for the accused.
From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
