defendant
noun [ C ] law specialized uk/dɪˈfen.dənt/ us/dɪˈfen.dənt/
被告，被告人
a person in a law case who is accused of having done something illegal
Compare: complainant plaintiff
- More examples
- The jury concluded from the evidence that the defendant was innocent.
- 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 jury should not interpret the silence of a defendant as a sign of guilt.