1 C1 formal
(Legal, US informal) To resolve a criminal case by accepting a plea bargain instead of going to trial.
"Facing overwhelming evidence, the defendant decided to plead out."
inseparable
plead out
C1 formal inseparable intransitive
To resolve a criminal case by entering a plea bargain rather than going to trial.
In plain English
To make a deal with the prosecutor and admit to a crime (or a lesser crime) instead of having a full trial in court.
What does "plead out" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Usage tip
Primarily American legal slang used by lawyers and journalists. 'The defendant pleaded out' means they accepted a plea deal.
Words that pair with "plead out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
defendant case charges deal attorney prosecutor
How to conjugate "plead out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
plead out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
pleads out
he/she/it
Past simple
pleaded out
yesterday
Past participle
pleaded out
have + pp
-ing form
pleading out
continuous
Hear "plead out" in the wild
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