defendant

American  

[dih-fen-duhnt, -dant] / dɪˈfɛn dənt, -dænt /

noun

1. Law. a person, company, etc., against whom a claim or charge is brought in a court (plaintiff ).

2. Obsolete. defender.

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adjective

1. making one's defense; defending.

   a defendant corporation.

2. Obsolete. defensive.

defendant British  

/ dɪˈfɛndənt /

noun

1. a person against whom an action or claim is brought in a court of law Compare plaintiff

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adjective

1. making a defence; defending

defendant Cultural  

1. The party that is being sued in court. (Compare plaintiff.)

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Other Word Forms

• nondefendant noun
• undefendant adjective

Etymology

Origin of defendant

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English defendaunt, from Anglo-French ( Middle French, Old French defendant ). See defend, -ant

Example Sentences

"The investigations were launched due to the immense media storm around the case, solely because of the involvement of the defendant, who is a world-renowned athlete," Neymar's legal team said.

From Barron's

Seven of the defendants -- who include former intelligence agents, soldiers and businessmen -- risk life imprisonment.

From Barron's

But they are not off the hook yet, as they will be defendants in several upcoming bellwether trials.

From BBC

The company itself was not named as a defendant.

From Barron's

Under US law, Maduro, like every defendant, would be entitled to a court-appointed lawyer if he is unable to afford his own.

From BBC

Related Words

• litigant
• offender
• prisoner
• suspect