noun
complainant
kuhm-PLAY-nuhnt
noun
1
A person who makes a formal complaint, especially in a legal or official setting.
"The complainant testified that she had witnessed the incident firsthand."
How to Use Complainant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe person officially bringing a complaint, often in a legal case.
When to use it
Mostly used in legal and formal contexts, rather than everyday speech.
Common pairings
the complainant alleged
complainant and defendant
Word Forms
complainants plural
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The _____ testified that she had witnessed the incident firsthand.
Etymology
From Old French complaignant, present participle of complaindre, "to complain."