indictment
noun
in·dict·ment
in-ˈdīt-mənt 
plural indictments
1
: a formal written statement prepared by a prosecuting authority charging a person with a crime and returned by a jury (such as a grand jury) upon finding that sufficient evidence to support it was presented
The state filed a one-hundred-count indictment against him that included murder, drug trafficking, prostitution, arson, and scores of other crimes.—
Sidney Sheldon
Sidney SheldonThe grand jury handed up Indictment No. 2 on November 19, 1998.—US v. Barnes, 251 F. 3d 251 (Court of Appeals, 1st Circuit 2001)
US v. Barnes, 251 F. 3d 251 (Court of Appeals, 1st Circuit 2001)If a district attorney takes or agrees to take from any person money … and an indictment is handed down or a presentment is made to this effect, the district attorney shall be disqualified from further discharging his or her official duties until a trial is had upon the indictment or presentment.—Official Code of Georgia Annotated, section 15-18-26 (2022)
Official Code of Georgia Annotated, section 15-18-26 (2022)2
a
: the action or the legal process of indicting
Felony cases are typically charged by indictment.
… reporters keen on finding out which City Hall figures were in danger of indictment …—Andy Logan
Andy LoganThe accused person, after indictment, is brought before the court. He may plead guilty or not guilty. If the plea is guilty, the judge sentences the person. If the plea is not guilty, a trial is held.—Stanley E. Dimond and Elmer F. Pflieger
Stanley E. Dimond and Elmer F. Pflieger
b
: the state of being indicted
He was frequently known to proceed with sales despite strong evidence that ownership of lots was in question—in one case a seller was under indictment for forgery and grand larceny.—Douglas C. McGill
Douglas C. McGill3
: an expression of strong disapproval
an indictment of government policy on immigrants
She intended the film to be an indictment of the media.
… the book is a stinging indictment of American political history …—Debra Rae Cohen
Debra Rae Cohen
Examples of indictment in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Democrats had hoped that message would be even easier to send in the aftermath of Jan. 6, a second impeachment, several indictments, and a New York conviction on 34 felony counts.
—W. James Antle Iii, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Nov. 2024
Key Background Combs was arrested on federal charges in September and, the next day, an indictment against him was unsealed.
—Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
The grand jury approved the charges as part of an indictment.
—Dennis Romero, NBC News, 3 Nov. 2024
During the retrial, prosecutors narrowed the scope of the indictment.
—CBS News, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for indictment 
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W. James Antle Iii, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Nov. 2024
Key Background Combs was arrested on federal charges in September and, the next day, an indictment against him was unsealed.
—Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
The grand jury approved the charges as part of an indictment.
—Dennis Romero, NBC News, 3 Nov. 2024
During the retrial, prosecutors narrowed the scope of the indictment.
—CBS News, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for indictment
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Dictionary Entries Near indictment
Cite this Entry
“Indictment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indictment. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
indictment
noun
in·dict·ment
in-ˈdīt-mənt
1
: the act or process of indicting
2
: an official written statement charging a person with a crime
Legal Definition
indictment
noun
in·dict·ment
in-ˈdīt-mənt
1
: the action or the legal process of indicting
2
a
: a formal written statement framed by a prosecuting authority and found by a grand jury that charges a person or persons with an offense compare complaint, information
b
: bill of indictment at bill 3b
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