arraignment

American  

[uh-rayn-muhnt] / əˈreɪn mənt /

noun

• arraignments
  plural

1. 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.

2. 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

• nonarraignment
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• arraignments
  plural

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

arraignment arraignments

At her arraignment in Queens, Blair's attorney Shawn Barnes asked the judge for leniency.

From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026

At the couple’s arraignment Tuesday, the district attorney intends to seek bail of $100 million, Hochman said, citing the couple’s wealth and the risk they could flee the country.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026

An arraignment hearing is scheduled for Sept. 9, according to prosecutors.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 29, 2026

York pleaded no contest to both charges at an arraignment hearing and was found guilty.

From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026

A veteran, he approached this stage of the process, the arraignment, with efficiency.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel

Last year, county supervisors raised the possibility of using Metro buses, and court officials tried exploring the idea of doing remote video arraignments from inside the jails — but neither plan worked out.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 28, 2025

Students who were arrested said they attended arraignments earlier this year, although no charges have been filed.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 2, 2024

The two men have arraignments set for Feb. 28.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 15, 2024

Georgia state courts often allow arraignments via Zoom or permit defendants to waive their arraignment.

From Washington Times ● Aug. 28, 2023

Lovelace Ellsworth alone remained standing, and turning toward his startled step-mother, he began one of the most scathing arraignments to which any one had ever listened.

From Dainty's Cruel Rivals The Fatal Birthday by Mrs. Alex. McVeigh Miller

Related Words

• indictment