remand
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to send back, remit, or consign again.
-
Law.
-
to send back (a case) to a lower court from which it was appealed, with instructions as to what further proceedings should be had.
-
(of a court or magistrate) to send back (a prisoner or accused person) into custody, as to await further proceedings.
-
noun
-
the act of remanding.
-
the state of being remanded.
-
a person remanded.
verb
-
law (of a court or magistrate) to send (a prisoner or accused person) back into custody or admit him to bail, esp on adjourning a case for further inquiries to be made
-
to send back
noun
-
the sending of a prisoner or accused person back into custody (or sometimes admitting him to bail) to await trial or continuation of his trial
-
the act of remanding or state of being remanded
-
in custody or on bail awaiting trial or completion of one's trial
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of remand
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English remaunden (verb), from Old French remander, from Late Latin remandāre “to repeat a command, send back word,” equivalent to re- re- + mandāre “to entrust, enjoin”; see mandate
Explanation
In law, to remand is to send a case back to be reconsidered by another court — or to imprison someone who's been arrested until they go to trial. In some cases, a court will remand a case for a completely new trial, and in others it might instruct the new court to use different legal standards, or to decide only on a defendant's sentence. When a judge remands an accused criminal — holding them in custody until the case goes to trial — it's often because they have a criminal record or have been charged with very serious crimes.
Vocabulary lists containing remand
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954)
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Just Mercy
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
James Gray, mitigating, told the court his client accepted what he did and had behaved well while on remand in prison.
From BBC • May 18, 2026
The plan commits to ending "unnecessary" custodial remand for children, where someone is held in prison while they await trial of sentencing.
From BBC • May 18, 2026
Marshall, from Carluke in South Lanarkshire, was on remand for unpaid fines and breach of the peace charges when he experienced a mental health crisis.
From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026
“It’s possible the CIT, as part of its remand, will set up some kind of court-overseen process,” said Greg Husisian, a partner at Foley & Lardner who is representing several Fortune 500 companies.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026
On remand for numerous larcenies: Mulch Diggums, the kleptomaniac dwarf.
From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer
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.
