# arraignment

/ɝˈeɪnmənt/ (US) · /ɐɹˈeɪnmənt/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/arraignment
Updated: 2026-05-25

## Definition

a formal court meeting where a person is told the charges against them and must say if they are guilty or not guilty.

For teachers: a formal proceeding in a court of law where an accused person is brought before a judge to hear the charges and enter a plea.

## Examples

- The defendant appeared in court for his arraignment.
- During the arraignment, the judge read the charges of theft and asked the defendant if he had a lawyer.
- The arraignment serves as a critical procedural milestone, ensuring that the accused is formally notified of the specific legal allegations and their right to a trial.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.