defendant
noun
a person, company, etc., against whom a claim or charge is brought in a court (opposed to plaintiff).
defendants
-
pluralof defendant.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
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.
Lawyers for all seven defendants have denied the allegations.
From Salon ● Nov. 1, 2026
Bonta alleges in the lawsuit that defendants have “repeatedly, consistently, and pervasively failed to lawfully manage hazardous waste” at the landfill located on Henry Mayo Drive.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2026
Jury selection is expected to begin on Wednesday in Los Angeles for another landmark trial about the alleged harms of social media on young users, with Meta and, for the first time, Snap as defendants.
From Barron's ● Oct. 28, 2026
They added: "Our legal team looks forward to the depositions of Mr Bovino and all of the defendants in this matter".
From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2026
As a result of the Armstrong decision, defendants who suspect racial bias on the part of prosecutors are trapped in a classic catch-22.
From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
