complainant
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of complainant
1375–1425; late Middle English < Anglo-French compleignant (present participle of compleindre ). See complain, -ant
Explanation
In law, the person who accuses someone else of wrongdoing is sometimes called the complainant. You are the complainant if you sue your neighbor for building a chicken coop on your property. Although there are some technical differences in the way legal experts use the terms, a complainant is essentially the same as a plaintiff. They're both ways to refer to an accuser, or someone bringing an official grievance against someone else. Since the 15th century, complainant has been used to mean "one who makes a formal complaint in court, " from complain.
Vocabulary lists containing complainant
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.
See Examples For:
He referred to a letter written by Sir Jeffrey to the complainant in 2020, which the trial previously heard she believed was an apology for the alleged abuse.
From BBC ● Jun. 17, 2026
The jury previously heard that Sir Jeffrey apologised to the complainant during this meeting.
From BBC ● Jun. 8, 2026
He acknowledged in his interview that he apologised to the complainant during the meeting but he said it was due to her having previously felt "uncomfortable" and he "accepted that was how she felt".
From BBC ● Jun. 8, 2026
The woman, known as Complainant B, was being cross-examined by Sir Jeffrey's lawyer when she said she blamed herself for the subsequent alleged abuse of the other complainant in the case.
From BBC ● Jun. 3, 2026
“No,” he said, “we have attempted to interview the so-called complainant and he denies that he was ever assaulted.”
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
He will now face another court hearing on July 29-30, which could see him and the six other complainants ordered to pay substantial legal costs.
From Barron's ● Jul. 10, 2026
It said that it would help the 18 complainants to get debt relief within existing mechanisms under Cambodian law.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 25, 2026
Video-recorded interviews with the police can be used to capture the testimony of complainants.
From BBC ● Jun. 24, 2026
Cross-examination of complainants to be pre-recorded and away from court.
From BBC ● Jun. 24, 2026
The committee deliberated on the "New England Case," summoned many of the "principal adventurers in that plantation" before it, listened to the complainants, and reported favorably to the colony.
From British Committees, Commissions, and Councils of Trade and Plantations, 1622-1675 by Andrews, Charles M.
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.
