defendant

[ dih-fen-duh nt or especially in court for 1, -dant ]
/ dɪˈfɛn dənt or especially in court for 1, -dænt /

noun

Law. a person, company, etc., against whom a claim or charge is brought in a court (opposed to plaintiff).
Obsolete. defender.

adjective

making one's defense; defending: a defendant corporation.
Obsolete. defensive.

Origin of defendant

1275–1325; Middle English defendaunt < Anglo-French (Middle French, Old French defendant). See defend, -ant

OTHER WORDS FROM defendant

non·de·fend·ant, noun un·de·fend·ant, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for defendant

British Dictionary definitions for defendant

defendant
/ (dɪˈfɛndənt) /

noun

a person against whom an action or claim is brought in a court of law Compare plaintiff

adjective

making a defence; defending

Cultural definitions for defendant

defendant

The party that is being sued in court. (Compare plaintiff.)