Words / C1

di-FEND-uh-nt/dɪˈfendənt/

The defendant is the accused in a court case: the defendant denied the charge. The claimant or plaintiff brings a civil case; the prosecution brings a criminal one. Defender is a sports player or someone who protects — different job. Accused is everyday. Do not call a witness the defendant.

Meaning

The person or organisation accused in a court case.

Examples

• “The defendant denied all the charges.”
• “The defendant sat through two days of evidence before giving a statement.”
• “In a civil claim the defendant is not “the criminal”; the standard of proof is different.”

Good to know

The accused in court. Civil: claimant/plaintiff vs defendant. Mix-up: defender (sport / protector). Everyday: the accused.

Near in meaning

accused

New