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

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

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