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HOW TO PRONOUNCE

defendant

/dɪˈfɛndənt/

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American Pronunciation Guide · 1:03
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Give “fen” the main stress.

Start with a light short vowel and keep the last syllable relaxed. Preserve the n-d connection in the middle without inserting an extra syllable.

3 syllables · Stress on syllable 2

TRY SAYING
The defendant entered the courtroom.

APG practice sentence · CC BY-SA 4.0

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

What does defendant mean?

adjective

  1. Serving, or suitable, for defense; defensive, defending.

noun

  1. In civil proceedings, the party responding to the complaint; one who is sued and called upon to make satisfaction for a wrong complained of by another.
  2. In criminal proceedings, the accused.

Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0

IPA pronunciation

/dɪˈfɛndənt/

Pronunciation used in the listening tip.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.

In the pages of books

See this word in context.

The champions were ready for the encounter, and the plaintiff and defendant were publicly called to come forward and acknowledge them.
Charles MackayMemoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions — Volume 1Project Gutenberg ebook #636
I'm now a respectable chap And shine with a virtue resplendent And, therefore, I haven't a scrap Of sympathy with the defendant!
Arthur Sullivan; W. S. (William Schwenck) GilbertThe Complete Plays of Gilbert and SullivanProject Gutenberg ebook #808
More book examples (3)
In the gathering and evaluation of evidence, the legitimate interests of the defendant in protecting its trade secrets shall be taken into account.
CanadaNorth American Free Trade Agreement, 1992 Oct. 7 Tariff Phasing DescriptionsProject Gutenberg ebook #89
When defendant was charged, she stated that the reason why she attempted to take her life was she had neither home nor friends.
Jack LondonThe People of the AbyssProject Gutenberg ebook #1688
The care which the defendant took in this case was not enough, and, therefore, he had no doubt that this action was maintainable.
William YouattThe DogProject Gutenberg ebook #9478