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.
Culver, on the other hand, has practiced as both a prosecutor and assistant public defender, according him ample opportunity to meet juries in county court. — Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026 His federal public defender did not respond to a request for comment. — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 25 Oct. 2026 At first, Nakira was assigned a public defender named Kim Schultz. — Anja Aronowsky Cronberg, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026 Reiner is currently represented by a public defender who attended the hearing on Friday. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 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 29 Oct. 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

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