defendant

dih-FEN-dunt

meaning in plain English

The person or group accused in court who has to defend themselves against the charge.

Think defend in court — the defendant defends themselves before the judge.

for example

The defendant told the judge she was not at the store that day.

The defendant is the one answering the charge. Why is he sitting at that table? Because he is the defendant — the court says he did something wrong and he must respond.