defendant Definition
- 1a person, company, etc. who is accused of committing a crime in a court of law
- 2a person or group against whom a claim or charge is brought in a court of law
Using defendant: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "defendant" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Example
The defendant was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Example
The company was named as a defendant in the lawsuit.
defendant Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for defendant
Antonyms for defendant
Phrases with defendant
co-defendant
a person who is jointly accused of a crime with another person
Example
The two co-defendants were found guilty of the robbery.
defendant's counsel
the lawyer or lawyers representing the defendant in a court of law
Example
The defendant's counsel argued that there was insufficient evidence to convict their client.
defendant's rights
the legal rights of a person accused of a crime, including the right to a fair trial and the right to remain silent
Example
The judge reminded the jury that the defendant's rights must be respected throughout the trial.
Origins of defendant
from Old French 'defendant', present participle of 'defendre', meaning 'to defend'
Summary: defendant in Brief
A 'defendant' [dɪˈfendənt] is a person or entity accused of a crime or against whom a claim or charge is brought in a court of law. It is often used in legal contexts, such as 'The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.' 'Defendant' has synonyms like 'accused' and 'offender,' and extends to phrases like 'co-defendant' and 'defendant's counsel.'
