Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

ad litem

American  
[ad lahy-tem] / ˈæd ˈlaɪ tɛm /

adjective

Law.
  1. for the particular action or proceeding.

    a guardian ad litem.


ad litem British  
/ æd ˈlaɪtɛm /

adjective

  1. (formerly, esp of a guardian) appointed for a lawsuit

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of ad litem

1760–70; < Latin; cf. litigate

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:

Petit has sued the city in federal court through a guardian ad litem, arguing that the officers had no cause for detaining him and that he posed no threat.

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 30, 2023

The court appointed a guardian ad litem to serve as a legal advocate for the boy.

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 1, 2023

Pyle also granted the request of Agape attorney John Schultz to appoint a guardian ad litem for each boy at Agape.

From Seattle Times Oct. 13, 2022

They argue that under Ohio’s Safe Harbor law, Martin should have been granted a guardian ad litem to represent her interests and given supportive services, and that her case should have remained in juvenile court.

From Washington Post Apr. 6, 2022

“Tandoori, Harrison, and Hugo are all minors. You had no right to interrogate them without a parent or guardian ad litem present.”

From "Confessions of a Murder Suspect" by James Patterson

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training