The meaning of DEFENDANT is a person or group against whom a criminal or civil action is brought : someone who is being sued or accused of committing a crime. How to use defendant in a sentence.

In court proceedings, a defendant is a person or object who is the party either accused of committing a crime in criminal prosecution or against whom some type of civil relief is being sought in a civil case.

The defendant is accused of a range of crimes, from theft to murder. The judge directed the defendant to remain silent. The defendant sat impassively in the dock while evidence was given against him. A …

Define defendant. defendant synonyms, defendant pronunciation, defendant translation, English dictionary definition of defendant. n. Law The party against which an action is brought. American …

Nov 10, 2025 · Learn what is a defendant in court, your legal rights, and the essential steps to take in both civil and criminal proceedings...

In certain types of actions, the defendant is called the respondent. However, the term respondent is usually used to designate the person responding to an appeal.

defendant - An individual or entity against whom a lawsuit is filed, sometimes referred to as a respondent in certain cases like divorce

A defendant is a person or entity (like a company) that has been sued or accused of a crime. In some civil cases, especially family law cases, the defendant is called the respondent.

Definition of defendant noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

The Process To begin a civil lawsuit in federal court, the plaintiff files a complaint with the court and “serves” a copy of the complaint on the defendant. The complaint describes the plaintiff’s damages …