plaintiff

noun

plain·​tiff ˈplān-təf How to pronounce plaintiff (audio)
: a person who brings a legal action compare defendant

Did you know?

We won't complain about the origins of plaintiff, although complain and plaintiff are distantly related; both can be traced back to plangere, a Latin word meaning "to strike, beat one's breast, or lament." Plaintiff comes most immediately from Middle English plaintif, itself an Anglo-French borrowing tracing back to plaint, meaning "lamentation." (The English word plaintive is also related.) Logically enough, plaintiff applies to the one who does the complaining in a legal case.

Examples of plaintiff in a Sentence

the judge ruled that the plaintiff's lawsuit was groundless, and he dismissed it
Recent Examples on the Web The panel gave the plaintiffs a week to seek relief from the Supreme Court. Adam Liptak, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2024 The state was sued and the plaintiffs, represented by the Center for Reproductive Rights, prevailed. Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 18 Mar. 2024 Lawyers for the plaintiffs and the defendants declined requests for comment, citing the ongoing legal proceedings. Zoya Teirstein / Grist, Quartz, 14 Mar. 2024 The plaintiffs in this lawsuit included lobbies for builders, restaurants, hotels and convenience stores. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024 The plaintiff later got permission to amend the suit with his real name. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 12 Mar. 2024 The plaintiff and her attorney argued that Bucklew used his position to groom her, and that others at the school knew, or should have known, that Bucklew was developing the inappropriate relationship with his victim. Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Mar. 2024 Stephen Miller, a senior White House adviser in the Trump administration, is actively seeking plaintiffs to file more claims. Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2024 With discovery long finished, a trial could be calendared in the next six months or so, plaintiff attorney Brian Hochman told the Observer Monday. Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 5 Mar. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English plaintif, from Anglo-French, from pleintif, adjective

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of plaintiff was in the 14th century

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Dictionary Entries Near plaintiff

Cite this Entry

“Plaintiff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plaintiff. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

plaintiff

noun
plain·​tiff ˈplānt-əf How to pronounce plaintiff (audio)
: the complaining party in a lawsuit

Legal Definition

plaintiff

noun
plain·​tiff ˈplān-təf How to pronounce plaintiff (audio)
: the party who institutes a legal action or claim (as a counterclaim) see also complainant, complaint, libellant compare defendant, prosecution
Etymology

Middle French plaintif, from plaintif, adj., grieving, from plaint lamentation, from Latin planctus, from plangere to strike, beat one's breast, lament

More from Merriam-Webster on plaintiff

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