public defender

noun

: 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.
Newsweek reached out via email to Routh's lead public defender on Tuesday for comment. Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024 Her public defender, Catherine Gardner, did not respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment. Emily Palmer, Peoplemag, 14 Sep. 2024 These include law enforcement officers, corrections officers, public defenders, prosecutors and people who have received orders of protection, among others. Jill Cassidy, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024 My career as an Air Force captain, state legislator and felony public defender has prepared me for this role in unique ways. Sharon Coolidge, The Enquirer, 27 Oct. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near public defender

Cite this Entry

“Public defender.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/public%20defender. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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

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!