- (v.t.) To present an answer, by allegation of fact, to the declaration of a plaintiff; to deny the plaintiff's declaration and demand or to allege facts which show that ought not to recover in the suit; in a less strict sense, to make an allegation of fact in a cause; to carry on the allegations of the respective parties in a cause; to carry on a suit or plea.
- (v.t.) To contend; to struggle.
- (v.t.) To argue in support of a claim or in defense against the claim of another; to urge reasons for or against a thing; to attempt to persuade one by argument or supplication; to speak by way of persuasion; as, to plead for the life of a criminal; to plead with a judge or with a father.
- of Plead.
- (v.t.) To discuss, defend, and attempt to maintain by arguments or reasons presented to a tribunal or person having uthority to determine; to argue at the bar; as, to plead a cause before a court or jury.
- (v.t.) To allege or adduce in proof, support or vendication; to offer in excuse; as, the law of nations may be pleaded in favor of the rights of ambassadors.
- (v.t.) To allege or cite in a legal plea or defense or for repelling a demand in law; to answer to an indictment; as, to plead usury; to plead statute of limitations; to plead not guilty.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
| APA | Webster's. (2011). plead. Retrieved September 21, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/plead/definitions/2046335 |
| Chicago | Webster's. 2011. "plead" http://smartdefine.org/plead/definitions/2046335 (accessed September 21, 2026). |
| Harvard | Webster's 2011, plead, Smart Define, viewed 21 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/plead/definitions/2046335>. |
| MLA | Webster's. "plead" 27 May 2011. Web. 21 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/plead/definitions/2046335> |