plural indictments
1
: a formal written statement prepared by a prosecuting authority charging a person with a crime and returned by a jury (such as a grand jury) upon finding that sufficient evidence to support it was presented
The state filed a one-hundred-count indictment against him that included murder, drug trafficking, prostitution, arson, and scores of other crimes. Sidney Sheldon
The grand jury handed up Indictment No. 2 on November 19, 1998. US v. Barnes, 251 F. 3d 251 (Court of Appeals, 1st Circuit 2001)
If a district attorney takes or agrees to take from any person money … and an indictment is handed down or a presentment is made to this effect, the district attorney shall be disqualified from further discharging his or her official duties until a trial is had upon the indictment or presentment. Official Code of Georgia Annotated, section 15-18-26 (2022)
2
a
: the action or the legal process of indicting
Felony cases are typically charged by indictment.
… reporters keen on finding out which City Hall figures were in danger of indictment Andy Logan
The accused person, after indictment, is brought before the court. He may plead guilty or not guilty. If the plea is guilty, the judge sentences the person. If the plea is not guilty, a trial is held. Stanley E. Dimond and Elmer F. Pflieger
b
: the state of being indicted
He was frequently known to proceed with sales despite strong evidence that ownership of lots was in question—in one case a seller was under indictment for forgery and grand larceny. Douglas C. McGill
3
: an expression of strong disapproval
an indictment of government policy on immigrants
She intended the film to be an indictment of the media.
… the book is a stinging indictment of American political history … Debra Rae Cohen

Examples of indictment 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.
In New York, such filings are often preliminary, as felony cases must receive a grand jury indictment to move forward unless the defendant waives the requirement. David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024 Williams announced in September that a federal grand jury had returned a three-count indictment of Combs alleging crimes so heinous that a judge has refused three requests to free him on bail. Robin Abcarian, The Mercury News, 27 Dec. 2024 Music that’s played at a reasonable volume so that people can talk about hot topics such as Eric Adams’s indictment. Meghana Indurti, The New Yorker, 26 Dec. 2024 The staff allegedly provided Jeffries, Smith and the men who attended with muscle relaxants, alcohol, condoms, Viagra and lubricant, according to the indictment. Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 24 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for indictment 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

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

Dictionary Entries Near indictment

Cite this Entry

“Indictment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indictment. Accessed 3 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

indictment

noun
1
: the act or process of indicting
2
: an official written statement charging a person with a crime

Legal Definition

indictment

noun
1
: the action or the legal process of indicting
2
a
: a formal written statement framed by a prosecuting authority and found by a grand jury that charges a person or persons with an offense compare complaint, information
b
: bill of indictment at bill 3b

More from Merriam-Webster on indictment

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!