pleading

American  

[plee-ding] / ˈpli dɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of a person who pleads.

2. Law.

   1. the advocating of a cause in a court of law.

   2. the art or science of setting forth or drawing pleas in legal causes.

   3. a formal statement, usually written, setting forth the cause of action or defense of a case.

   4. pleadings, the successive statements delivered alternately by plaintiff and defendant until the issue is joined.

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pleading British  

/ ˈpliːdɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of presenting a case in court, as by a lawyer on behalf of his client

2. the art or science of preparing the formal written statements of the parties to a legal action See also pleadings

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Other Word Forms

• nonpleading adjective
• nonpleadingly adverb
• pleadingly adverb
• pleadingness noun
• unpleading adjective

Etymology

Origin of pleading

1250–1300; Middle English pledynge (gerund). See plead, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Desperate families crowded at the entrance, pleading to get their relatives released.

From Barron's

In March, "we gave them a minimum of about 14 days, with a lot of pleading that they would definitely move away from the high tension" lines, Oki said.

From Barron's

Manitoba is now pleading with Ford to change course.

From BBC

Farfán does not know where her son is being held but has come to El Helicoide to join others in pleading for their relatives' release - wherever they may be.

From BBC

Paine’s timing for “Common Sense,” the first widely-read pamphlet proposing independence rather than pleading for rights and reconciliation, was perfect.

From Salon