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

The grand jury handed up Indictment No. 2 on November 19, 1998.

—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)

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

The 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

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

3

: 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

Synonyms

• charge
• complaint
• count
• rap

Examples of indictment in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The indictment follows Yoon’s arrest ten days ago, when South Korean prosecutors finally succeeded in forcing him to surrender at his residence after a prolonged stand-off with his presidential bodyguard. —Patrick Reevell, ABC News, 26 Jan. 2025

The various tax credits mentioned in the indictment require taxpayers to provide an Employer Identification Number (EIN)—think of it as a Social Security number for businesses. —Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 25 Jan. 2025

That swab obtained long ago eventually led to Mr. Cady’s indictment last month on a first-degree murder charge in Ms. Searight’s death, the Texas Department of Public Safety announced in a news release on Thursday. —Simon J. Levien, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2025

In addition to alleging plans to pressure developers into hiring Madigan’s law firm, the indictment accuses Madigan and McClain of bribery schemes involving ComEd and AT&T Illinois. —Ray Long, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing indictment

• bill of indictment

Video

Video: Why Is There a 'C' in 'Indict'?

And who put it there, anyway?

Kids 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