defendant

1 of 2

noun

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

defendant

2 of 2

adjective

: being on the defensive : defending

Examples of defendant in a Sentence

Noun

The jury believed that the defendant was guilty.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Doe alleged the defendants snorted ketamine off her body and forced her to do the same off theirs. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 2 Oct. 2026

The civil action names High Meadow Management Company and 311 LLC — the latter of which owns the property — as defendants. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026

Adjective

Stanley’s co-defendant, unsuccessful county commissioner candidate and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools bus driver Heather Morrow, was found guilty of the petty offenses and the misdemeanor assault charge. — Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2026

As part of the charm offensive, Rivera and a co-defendant, political consultant Esther Nuhfer, sought to manipulate influential friends, including Rubio and Sessions. — Joshua Goodman, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English defendaunt, borrowed from Anglo-French defendant, diffendaunt, noun derivative from present participle of defendre "to defend"

Adjective

Middle English defendaunt, from Anglo-French defendant, present participle of defendre "to defend"

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing defendant

• co-defendant

Rhymes for defendant

• appendant
• ascendant
• attendant
• dependant
• dependent
• descendant
• descendent
• intendant
• resplendent
• transcendent
• codefendant
• independent

Kids Definition

defendant

noun

de·​fend·​ant

di-ˈfen-dənt

: a person who is being sued or accused in a legal action

Legal 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