complainant

noun

com·​plain·​ant kəm-ˈplā-nənt 

1

: the party who makes the complaint in a legal action or proceeding

2

: one who complains

Synonyms

• plaintiff
• suer

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

The complainant intervened to protect the children, at which time Young fled and ultimately encountered the girl (also in middle school) walking to the stop in the area of Church Street, according to the sheriff’s office. —Brian Bell, Orlando Sentinel, 22 Nov. 2024

The new regulations require district staff members to explain the process to file Title IX complaints or promptly contact complainants to discuss supportive measures like counseling or schedule changes. —Jo Yurcaba, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024

The complainant told state police the driver appeared to be a white man in his 60s with no facial hair wearing a light-colored shirt. —Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 1 Nov. 2024

Settlements can include payments to complainants to cover lost wages or other harms and agreeing to temporary monitoring by state officials to ensure compliance with the law. —Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

complainant

noun

com·​plain·​ant kəm-ˈplā-nənt 

1

: one who makes a legal complaint

2

: one who complains

Legal Definition

complainant

noun

com·​plain·​ant kəm-ˈplā-nənt 

: the party (as a plaintiff or petitioner) who makes the complaint in a legal action or proceeding