pleads;
pleaded
/ˈpliːdəd/
or
pled
/ˈplɛd/;
pleading
pleads;
pleaded
/ˈpliːdəd/
or
pled
/ˈplɛd/;
pleading
Britannica Dictionary definition of PLEAD
1
[no object]
:
to ask for something in a serious and emotional way
—
often + for
—
often + with
2
[+ object]
:
to try to prove (a case) in a court of law
3
[no object]
:
to say in court that you are either guilty or not guilty of a crime
:
to make a plea
-
“How do you plead?” asked the judge.
-
“We plead guilty, Your Honor.”
-
He pled not guilty by reason of insanity. [=he said in court that he was not responsible for the crime because he was insane]
-
He agreed to plead to a lesser charge of manslaughter.
4
[+ object]
:
to give (something) as a reason or excuse for something
-
He pleaded that he didn't have enough money to pay his bill.
-
On that particular issue, I will have to plead ignorance. [=to say that I do not know anything about it]
5
:
to argue in support of (a cause)
[+ object]
[no object]