plaintiff

[pleyn-tif]

noun

Law.

1. a person who brings suit in a court (defendant ).

plaintiff

/ ˈpleɪntɪf /

noun

1. Now replaced by: claimant. (formerly) a person who brings a civil action in a court of law Compare defendant

plaintiff

1. The party that institutes a suit in a court. The person or entity the plaintiff sues is the defendant.

Other Word Forms

• plaintiffship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of plaintiff¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English plaintif “complaining person,” noun use of the adjective; plaintive

Word History and Origins

Origin of plaintiff¹

C14: from legal French plaintif, from Old French plaintif (adj) complaining, from plainte _plaint

Example Sentences

“Today’s settlement, if approved, will resolve the plaintiffs’ remaining legacy claims,” said Aparna Sridhar, deputy general counsel for Anthropic, in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times

The plaintiffs are alleging Civil Rights Act violations, unfair business practices, financial elder abuse as well as dependent adult abuse, labor code violations, wrongful termination, negligence and breach of contract.

From Los Angeles Times

“After all the time, effort and years invested in this lawsuit, this victory feels like a step in the right direction,” Maritza Gonzalez, one of the plaintiffs, said in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times

“The question is whether Cardi ever struck the plaintiff,” Anderson said.

From Los Angeles Times

Any library that doesn’t comply could face a civil lawsuit under the law, along mandatory $250 fine for the library and plaintiffs could receive uncapped damages.

From Salon

Related Words

• complainant 
• litigant 
• prosecutor