public defender

noun

Synonyms of public defendernext
: a lawyer usually holding public office whose duty is to defend accused persons unable to pay for legal assistance

Examples of public defender in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The federal public defender's office assigned to his case didn't immediately reply to a message asking how Ross plans to plead. — ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026 Scott is represented by two public defenders Patrick Berrigan and Edward Berrigan. — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026 Rapper D4vd is being represented by a public defender in his murder case. — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026 At the arraignment, Burke's lawyers withdrew in a shocking move, leaving him with a public defender. — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for public defender

Word History

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of public defender was in 1822

Rhymes for public defender

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Browse Nearby Words

public debt
public defender
public domain
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Cite this Entry

“Public defender.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/public%20defender. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Legal Definition

public defender

noun
: a lawyer usually holding public office who represents criminal defendants unable to pay for legal assistance

More from Merriam-Webster on public defender

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for public defender

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about public defender

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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