plead
verb
\ ˈplēd
\
\
pleaded\ ˈplē-dəd
\
or pled
also plead\ ˈpled
\;
pleading
\
or pled
also plead\ ˈpled
\;
pleading
Definition of plead
1
: to argue a case or cause in a court of law
2a
: to make an allegation in an action or other legal proceeding
especially
: to answer the previous pleading of the other party by denying facts therein stated or by alleging new facts
b
: to conduct pleadings
3
: to make a plea of a specified nature
plead not guilty
4a
: to argue for or against a claim
b
: to entreat or appeal earnestly
1
: to maintain (a case, a cause, etc.) in a court of law or other tribunal
2
: to allege in or by way of a legal plea
3
: to offer as a plea usually in defense, apology, or excuse
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Other Words from plead
pleadable
\ ˈplē-də-bəl
\
adjective
\
adjective
pleader
noun
pleadingly
\ ˈplē-diŋ-lē
\
adverb
\
adverb
Examples of plead in a Sentence
He begged and pleaded, but she would not change her mind.
She couldn't afford a lawyer to plead her case.
“How do you plead?” asked the judge.
“We plead guilty, Your Honor.”
He agreed to plead to a lesser charge of manslaughter.
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Recent Examples on the Web
This includes permits, land-use studies, appealing to various boards, and pleading with politicians. — Deroy Murdock, National Review, "Here’s Why Housing Is So Expensive," 30 Aug. 2019 As Levandowski pleaded not guilty to all charges, his court appearance was live-tweeted. — Charles Duhigg, The New Yorker, "How the Anthony Levandowski Indictment Helps Big Tech Stifle Innovation in Silicon Valley," 28 Aug. 2019 Shokrian has pleaded not guilty to the criminal misdemeanor lawsuit brought by the city against him over the complex’s elevator problems. — Lila Seidman, Glendale News-Press, "Owner of senior apartments must explain why he hasn’t repaired an on-site elevator, judge says," 27 Aug. 2019 Weinstein has maintained his innocence and has pleaded not guilty to all charges. — Ryan Parker, The Hollywood Reporter, "Harvey Weinstein Faces New Indictment for Alleged Sexual Assault," 22 Aug. 2019 This Is Mine’ Bryant, who was out on $20,000 bail, had pled not guilty. — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE.com, "The Man Who Allegedly Stole Frances McDormand's Oscar Sees His Felony Charges Dropped," 21 Aug. 2019 Levy pleaded not guilty at a hearing Tuesday and had not obtained counsel to represent him, prosecutors said. — Ryan W. Miller, USA TODAY, "Ex-VA doctor who was fired for being drunk on job charged with manslaughter in 3 veterans' deaths," 21 Aug. 2019 Kevorkian and Rhodus have been charged with six felony counts each and pleaded not guilty to all charges in 2014. — Julia Sclafani, Daily Pilot, "Hossein Nayeri convicted in kidnapping of pair and torture of Newport Beach marijuana dispensary owner," 16 Aug. 2019 Without having to hire lawyers or plead with coaches or file appeal after appeal. — Shawn Windsor, Detroit Free Press, "Jim Harbaugh's grenades at Luke Fickell a symptom of terrible NCAA rule," 14 Aug. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'plead.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for plead
plead
verb
English Language Learners Definition of plead
: to ask for something in a serious and emotional way
: to try to prove (a case) in a court of law
: to say in court that you are either guilty or not guilty of a crime : to make a plea
See the full definition for plead in the English Language Learners Dictionary
plead
verb
\ ˈplēd
\
\
pleaded
or pled\ ˈpled \;
pleading
Kids Definition of plead
1
: to ask for in a serious and emotional way : beg
I pleaded for help.
2
: to offer as a defense, an excuse, or an apology
To avoid going, I'll plead illness.
3
: to argue for or against : argue in court
His lawyer will plead the case before a jury.
4
: to answer to a criminal charge
They all plead not guilty.