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.
In Charlotte, federal public defenders who dedicate all their time to those cases represent about half of those people, Baker said. Julia Coin july 23, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2025 As the chief of the county public defender’s office, Taylor briefly represented a parent of one of the four murder victims in an unrelated case. Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 17 July 2025 No attorney for Patel was listed, as he was assigned a public defender. Mark Puleo, New York Times, 11 July 2025 He was appointed a public defender Monday, records show. Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025 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

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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 Jul. 2025.

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
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