de·fen·dant
di-ˈfen-dənt 
in legal circles often
-ˌdant
law
: a person or group against whom a criminal or civil action is brought : someone who is being sued or accused of committing a crime
if the jury finds the defendant not guilty
compare plaintiff
Examples of defendant in a Sentence
Noun
The jury believed that the defendant was guilty.
Recent Examples on the Web
Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
In bond determinations, judges are required to consider factors such as the nature and circumstances of the offense, a defendant’s criminal history, ties to the community, and risk of flight or danger to others.
—Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
City News Service, Daily News, 20 Jan. 2026
Maduro was led into court along with his co-defendant wife just before noon for the brief legal proceeding.
—Michael R. Sisak, Fortune, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defendant
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Noun
In court, the ICE officer's account of the moments before the shooting differed significantly from testimony from the two defendants and three eyewitnesses.
—Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
In bond determinations, judges are required to consider factors such as the nature and circumstances of the offense, a defendant’s criminal history, ties to the community, and risk of flight or danger to others.
—Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Co-defendant Sophia Shaklian, 38, of the Larchmont neighborhood of Los Angeles, pleaded guilty in November 2025 to a single count of healthcare fraud and is set for sentencing on March 24.
—City News Service, Daily News, 20 Jan. 2026
Maduro was led into court along with his co-defendant wife just before noon for the brief legal proceeding.
—Michael R. Sisak, Fortune, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defendant
Cite this Entry
“Defendant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defendant. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
defendant
noun
de·fen·dant
di-ˈfen-dənt, -ˌdant
: the party against whom a criminal or civil action is brought see also answer, codefendant compare accused, plaintiff
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