lawsuit

law-suit · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A claim or dispute brought to a court of law for adjudication.

  2. 2.

    The process of pursuing such a claim.

Forms

plural: lawsuits

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    file a lawsuit — To initiate legal proceedings.
  • •
    class action lawsuit — A lawsuit filed by a group with similar claims.
  • •
    frivolous lawsuit — A lawsuit with little legal merit.

Related words

See also: court, litigation, trial
Synonyms: case, legal action, litigation

Etymology

A compound of law + suit (in the sense of "pursuit, following"). The word emerged in the 17th century to describe a legal proceeding or case brought before a court.