John Doe

noun

1
: a party to legal proceedings whose true name is unknown
2
: an average man

Examples of John Doe in a Sentence

to John Doe the most important issues in any election are usually those that affect his wallet
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 clockwork scheme that John Doe sets in motion pays off in one of the greatest climaxes of any movie, ever. Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 7 Jan. 2025 Attorney-Client Privilege: No Bar To IRS John Doe Summons Even the attorney-client privilege cannot bar use of the IRS John Doe Summons. Virginia La Torre Jeker, J.d., Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025 Originally, there was a title sequence that had nothing to do with John Doe and his fingertips or any of his composition book perversions. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 2 Jan. 2025 An unnamed driver listed as John Doe in a separate accident report was killed at approximately 2:52 a.m. Parker Mancino, arkansasonline.com, 22 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for John Doe 

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of John Doe was in 1593

Cite this Entry

“John Doe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/John%20Doe. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

John Doe

noun
: a person in legal proceedings whose true name is unknown or withheld

Legal Definition

John Doe

noun
: a party to legal proceedings (as a suspect) whose true name is unknown or withheld compare jane roe, richard roe
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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