Definition of DEFENDANT

defendant

Meanings

Plural: defendants

Noun

  • a person or institution against whom an action is brought in a court of law; the person being sued or accused
  • In civil proceedings, the party responding to the complaint; one who is sued and called upon to make satisfaction for a wrong complained of by another.
  • In criminal proceedings, the accused.

Adj

  • Serving, or suitable, for defense; defensive, defending.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English defendaunt (“defending; defending in a suit”), borrowed from Old French defendant, present participle of defendre, from Latin dēfendere.

Synonyms

respondant, suspect

Scrabble Score: 14

defendant is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
defendant is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
defendant is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 16

defendant is a valid Words With Friends word