pleadings

British

/ ˈpliːdɪŋz /

plural noun

Official name: statements of case. law (formerly) the formal written statements presented alternately by the claimant and defendant in a lawsuit setting out the respective matters relied upon

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

His firm twice praised the 2021 affidavit option in early court pleadings but made no mention in hearings of its disappearance from the new plan.

From Salon • Apr. 24, 2026

The judge reviewed all the pleadings, spoke to the victim’s family, and agreed that the negotiation was “a proper remedy” under the circumstances.

From Slate • Oct. 9, 2024

It took 142 hearing days spread over almost six years, 800 pages of pleadings and more than 3,000 pages of documents from the lawyers to arrive at today's verdicts.

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2024

McClure, then 38, had left work early after complaining of a headache and dizziness and was headed home, according to the pleadings.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 7, 2024

When Walter, who could barely read or write, failed to file the various pleadings, writs, motions, and lawsuits the other prisoners had advised him to file, they blamed him for his predicament.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023