arraignment
Americannoun
-
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.
-
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
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.
Vocabulary lists containing arraignment
Touching Spirit Bear
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In Cold Blood
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This Week in Words: Current Events Vocabulary for April 1–April 7, 2023
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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.
Arraignment for the two is scheduled for Sept. 11.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 5, 2025
Arraignment involves the indictment being put to the defendant in open court, allowing them to state whether they plead guilty or not guilty.
From BBC • Oct. 25, 2023
Arraignment Day seemed like a good day to find out.
From Slate • Apr. 5, 2023
Arraignment is not yet scheduled for Clark and Rainy, but Williams will appear in court on Nov. 2: She will, however, face charges in up to five different courts around Wayne County.
From Fox News • Oct. 16, 2021
There is now in the Press, and will speedily be Published: The Arraignment, Tryal and Condemnation of Capt.
From Privateering and Piracy in the Colonial Period Illustrative Documents by Jameson, J. Franklin (John Franklin)
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.
