complainant

noun

com·​plain·​ant kəm-ˈplā-nənt How to pronounce complainant (audio)
1
: the party who makes the complaint in a legal action or proceeding
2
: one who complains

Examples of complainant in a Sentence

the complainant charged that the defendant had broken the ironclad contract that both had signed
Recent Examples on the Web Milam has in turn used music to respond to his complainants. Ezra Marcus, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2024 The complainant, whose name was redacted and only identified in records as a 66-year-old male, led authorities to where Irsay was. Scooby Axson, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2024 In some cases, such as those filed with the animal control service of King County, Wash., you’re actually required to have at least three complainants when submitting a noise complaint. Annie Midori Atherton, Washington Post, 6 Feb. 2024 The investigator might ask complainants to share accompanying documentation or answer further questions to clarify their report. Nick Sullivan, The Arizona Republic, 22 Jan. 2024 The complainant, who is six weeks pregnant, had minor abrasions on her left hand and bruising to her neck, according to the affidavit. Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 30 Nov. 2023 However, merely being witnessed dancing with the complainant does not cross the bar of evidence necessary to prove paternity. Tom Zoellner, SPIN, 21 Feb. 2024 The complainants were reluctant to go on the record and the matter went nowhere. Ana Claudia Chacin, Miami Herald, 12 Feb. 2024 After his first takedown in May, his app was reinstated after the DMCA complainant didn't take any legal action. Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, 27 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'complainant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of complainant was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near complainant

Cite this Entry

“Complainant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/complainant. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

complainant

noun
com·​plain·​ant kəm-ˈplā-nənt How to pronounce complainant (audio)
1
: one who makes a legal complaint
2
: one who complains

Legal Definition

complainant

noun
com·​plain·​ant kəm-ˈplā-nənt How to pronounce complainant (audio)
: the party (as a plaintiff or petitioner) who makes the complaint in a legal action or proceeding

More from Merriam-Webster on complainant

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