Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » plead

plead

Listen See in Thesaurus See in a sentence

To plead is defined as to beg or to respond to a charge of a crime.

(verb)

An example of plead is to beg someone for forgiveness.
An example of plead is for someone to say he is not guilty of a crime.

See plead in Webster's New World College Dictionary

intransitive verb pleaded or pled or plead , pleading

1. to present a case in a law court; argue the case of either party
2. to present a plea (sense )
to make an earnest appeal; supplicate; beg: to plead for mercy

Origin: ME pleden < OFr plaidier < plaid: see plea

transitive verb

to discuss or defend (a law case) by argument
to declare oneself to be (guilty or not guilty) in answer to a charge
to offer as an excuse or defense: to plead ignorance

Related Forms:

pleadable adjective
pleader noun
pleadingly adverb

See plead in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb plead·ed or pled (plĕd), plead·ing, pleads

verb, intransitive

To appeal earnestly; beg: plead for more time.
To offer reasons for or against something; argue earnestly: plead against a bill.
To provide an argument or appeal: Your youth pleads for you in this instance.
Law
a. To put forward a plea of a specific nature in court: plead guilty.
b. To make or answer an allegation in a legal proceeding.
c. To address a court as a lawyer or advocate.

verb, transitive

To assert as defense, vindication, or excuse; claim as a plea: plead illness.
Law
a. To present as an answer to a charge, indictment, or declaration made against one.
b. To argue or present (a case) in a court or similar tribunal.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English pleden, plaiden

Origin: , from Old French plaidier

Origin: , from Medieval Latin placitāre, to appeal to the law

Origin: , from Late Latin placitum, decree, opinion; see plea

Related Forms:

pleadˈa·ble adjective

pleadˈer noun

pleadˈing·ly adverb

Usage Note: In strict legal usage, one is said to plead guilty or plead not guilty but not to plead innocent. In nonlegal contexts, however, plead innocent is well established.

Learn more about plead

plead synonyms

plead legal definition

plead in a sentence

plead quotes

link/cite print suggestion box