plea

American  

[plee] / pli /

noun

1. an appeal or entreaty.

   a plea for mercy.

   Synonyms:

   suit, solicitation, supplication, petition, request

2. something that is alleged, urged, or pleaded in defense or justification.

3. an excuse; pretext.

   He begged off on the plea that his car wasn't working.

   Synonyms:

   justification

4. Law.

   1. an allegation made by, or on behalf of, a party to a legal suit, in support of their claim or defense.

   2. a defendant's answer to a legal declaration or charge.

   3. (in courts of equity) a plea that admits the truth of the declaration, but alleges special or new matter in avoidance.

   4. Obsolete. a suit or action.

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idioms

1. cop a plea, cop.

plea British  

/ pliː /

noun

1. an earnest entreaty or request

   a plea for help

2. 1. law something alleged or pleaded by or on behalf of a party to legal proceedings in support of his claim or defence

   2. criminal law the answer made by an accused to the charge

      a plea of guilty

   3. (in Scotland and formerly in England) a suit or action at law

3. an excuse, justification, or pretext

   he gave the plea of a previous engagement

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plea More Idioms  

1. see cop a plea.

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Usage

What does plea mean? A plea is an intense request or appeal. It’s especially used to imply that the request is passionate and that the person doing the pleading is desperate. It’s especially used in serious situations. A person might make a plea to their friend to get help with an addiction. A kid might make a plea to their parents begging not to be grounded. In law, a plea is generally a defendant’s response to an accusation, as in a plea of guilty or not guilty. A plea-bargain is an agreement between a defendant and a prosecutor in which the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge. The slang phrase cop a plea refers to this and can be used in nonlegal contexts. To make a plea is to plead. Example: When I was a kid, I used to beg my mom not to make me go to the dentist, but she always ignored my pleas.

Etymology

Origin of plea

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English ple, earlier plaid from Old French, from early Medieval Latin placitum “law-court, suit, decision, decree,” Latin: “opinion” (literally, “that which is pleasing or agreeable”), placēre “to please”

Explanation

A plea is what you make when you're begging for something with a sense of urgency and emotion. While you wouldn't call asking for a hall pass a plea, you could make a plea for justice or world peace. Plea also has a legal meaning. When you get a traffic ticket or if you're accused of a crime, you have to enter a plea of "guilty" or "not guilty." A "plea bargain" is when you make a deal with the prosecutor — you may plead guilty to a charge (by entering a guilty plea) that has less of a penalty and, in return, the prosecutor drops the more serious charge.

Example Sentences

The RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch study was released alongside a plea from the charity not to feed birds during the summer months, as it could spread disease.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

US President Donald Trump told reporters Sunday that he is "not a big fan" of Pope Leo XIV, after the global leader of Catholics made a plea for peace.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

In his criticism of the Pope’s plea for negotiations, Mr. McGurn implies a misreading of Catholic just-war principles.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

Under a plea agreement, Gershman faces a sentence of 24 months in federal prison, along with three years of supervised release and a $50,000 fine.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

The district attorney’s office had made an offer for a plea bargain.

From "The 57 Bus" by Dashka Slater

Related Words

• appeal
• application
• entreaty
• overture
• petition
• prayer
• solicitation
• suit