Games

Word of the Day

Video

Blog: Words at Play

My Faves

Dictionary

¹defendant

noun de·fen·dant \di-ˈfen-dənt, in legal circles often -ˌdant\

: a person who is being sued or accused of a crime in a court of law

Full Definition of DEFENDANT

: a person required to make answer in a legal action or suit — compare plaintiff

See defendant defined for English-language learners

See defendant defined for kids

First Known Use of DEFENDANT

14th century

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

Rhymes with DEFENDANT

appendant, ascendant, attendant, dependent, descendant, impendent, intendant, transcendent

²defendant

adjective

Definition of DEFENDANT

: being on the defensive : defending

First Known Use of DEFENDANT

15th century

Learn More About DEFENDANT

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "defendant"

Nglish: Translation of "defendant" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "defendant" for Arabic speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about "defendant"

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: defenderPrevious Word in the Dictionary: defendAll Words Near: defendant

Seen & Heard

What made you want to look up defendant? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

View Seen & Heard Highlights from Around the Site

Test Your Vocabulary!

10 Charming Words for Nasty People

Put-downs with flair

Learn More

When "Literally" isn't, well, literal

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

Watch Now

Know what this is?

Test your vocab with our fun, fast game

Go Play

Fear of cats?

Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears

Learn More

1defendant

Full Definition of DEFENDANT

First Known Use of DEFENDANT

Other Legal Terms

Rhymes with DEFENDANT

2defendant

Definition of DEFENDANT

First Known Use of DEFENDANT

Learn More About DEFENDANT

Browse

Seen & Heard

¹defendant

²defendant