Accused vs. Defendant

simple past tense and past participle of accuse

(legal) The person charged with an offense; the defendant in a criminal case.

Having been accused; being the target of accusations.

Charged with offense; as, an accused person.

a defendant in a criminal proceeding

a person or group of people who are charged with or on trial for a crime

Example: ‘two of the accused were sentenced to thirteen years in prison’; ‘the accused was ordered to stand trial on a number of charges’;

(legal) In civil proceedings, the party responding to the complaint; one who is sued and called upon to make satisfaction for a wrong complained of by another.

(legal) In criminal proceedings, the accused.

Serving, or suitable, for defense; defensive.

Serving, or suitable, for defense; defensive.

Example: ‘With men of courage and with means defendant.’;

Making defense.

One who defends; a defender.

Example: ‘The rampiers and ditches which the defendants had cast up.’;

A person required to make answer in an action or suit; - opposed to plaintiff.

a person or institution against whom an action is brought in a court of law; the person being sued or accused

In court proceedings, a defendant is a person who is the party either accused of committing a crime in criminal prosecution or against whom some type of civil relief is being sought in a civil case. Terminology varies from one jurisdiction to another.