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Defendant Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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defendant

[dɪˈfɛndənt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

in a legal context

A person, company, or institution against whom an action is brought in a court of law.

Synonyms

accused, offender, respondent.

Examples of usage

  • The defendant was found guilty of the crime.
  • The defendant's lawyer argued for a lighter sentence.
Context #2 | Noun

in a general context

A person or group that is accused or criticized for something.

Synonyms

subject, target, victim.

Examples of usage

  • The company was the defendant in the lawsuit.
  • He felt like a defendant in the argument.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'defendant'

The word 'defendant' originated from the Latin word 'defendere', which means 'to defend'. In legal terms, a defendant is someone who is defending themselves in a court of law against accusations or charges. The concept of a defendant has been a key element of legal systems for centuries, dating back to ancient civilizations. The role of the defendant is to present their case and challenge the evidence brought against them in order to prove their innocence.

See also: defence, defend, defendants, defended, defender, defenders, defending, defendingly, defense, defensive.

Word Frequency Rank

At #531 in the frequency ranking, this word is highly important for effective communication. It's commonly used in daily situations and should be prioritized in your vocabulary building.