limited purpose public figure

noun

: a person who voluntarily and prominently participates in a public controversy for the purpose of influencing its outcome and who is thus required as a public figure to prove actual malice in a defamation suit

called also limited public figure

compare public figure

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Limited purpose public figure.” Merriam-Webster.com Legal Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/legal/limited%20purpose%20public%20figure. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!