lawsuit
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of lawsuit
Compare meaning
How does lawsuit compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
A lawsuit is the result of a disagreement that ends up in court. A long-running feud between neighbors about a flock of chickens and a barking dog might eventually end up as a lawsuit. If someone files a lawsuit against you, you become a defendant, while they are the plaintiff. Lawsuits are always part of civil law, rather than criminal cases, involving something some kind of financial or personal loss. When you're embroiled in a lawsuit, you'll probably need to hire a lawyer. This legal term dates from the 17th century.
Vocabulary lists containing lawsuit
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.
Just days before the fight, a lawsuit was filed on behalf of two Virginia residents - a Vietnam veteran and a local civic activist - to try halt the event.
From BBC • Jun. 14, 2026
The trust and JPMorgan resolved the lawsuit without disclosing terms.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 14, 2026
A lawsuit failed to halt the event, but hot weather and thunderstorms expected to sweep across the city on Sunday could dampen the spectacle, or send some of those thousands rushing for cover.
From BBC • Jun. 14, 2026
The lawsuit claims that after the opera company and the Kennedy Center parted ways in January, center officials have not returned more than $17 million in gifts and donations that belong to the opera company.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2026
"A blanket7. That's so wild! A blanket? From Sears . . She pauses, then, "Oh, man ... we could be talking about a big lawsuit here.
From "Things Not Seen" by Andrew Clements
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.
