defendant
gb/dɪfˈɛndənt/ us/dɪfˈɛndənt/
B2
English
~ 1900
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
B2
entity
1
Person accused in a court case
A person who has to go to court because they are accused of breaking the law or causing harm.
Usage pattern:
the defendant [verb]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'defendant' with 'defender'. 'Defendant' is the person accused in court; 'defender' is someone who protects or defends, such as a lawyer or player in sports.
Synonyms
accused (Less formal term, often used in news or everyday speech about someone charged with a crime.)
|
respondent (Used mainly in legal contexts for someone responding to a claim, especially in civil or family cases.)
Antonyms
plaintiff (The person who brings a case against another in a court of law.)
|
prosecutor (The legal representative who brings charges against a defendant in a criminal case.)
Collocations
criminal defendant
|civil defendant
|defendant's lawyer
|defendant's rights
|defendant was found guilty
Themes
law
|crime
|justice
Examples
- The defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges.
- The jury listened carefully to the defendant's testimony.
- Her lawyer argued that the defendant had acted in self-defense.
- The judge reminded the defendant to address the court respectfully.
Learner examples
- The defendant is in the courtroom.
- The police took the defendant to court.
- The defendant says he did not do it.
- The judge asked the defendant to speak.
Grammar
Dictionary form
defendant
IPA
GB/dɪfˈɛndənt/
US/dɪfˈɛndənt/
Syllables & stress
de - fend - ant (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (fend)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: defendant
- Plural: defendants
Word family
Expressions
civil defendant
1/sˈɪvəl dɪfˈɛndənt/
fixed phrase
formal
Person sued in civil court
A person who is taken to court for something that is not a crime, like money problems or contracts.
Examples
- The civil defendant denied owing any money.
- In this trial, the civil defendant must prove they are not responsible.
co-defendant
1/kˈoʊ dɪfˈɛndənt/
fixed phrase
formal
Person accused alongside another
Another person who is accused in the same court case as someone else.
Examples
- The two co-defendants were tried together.
- Each co-defendant had their own lawyer.
criminal defendant
1/kɹˈɪmənəl dɪfˈɛndənt/
fixed phrase
formal
Person accused of a crime in court
A person who is accused of breaking the law and is in criminal court.
Examples
- The criminal defendant faced serious charges.
- A public defender was assigned to represent the criminal defendant.