# Campbell

/ˈkæmbəɫ/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/campbell
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a type of legal warning given to someone when they are arrested. It tells the person that they do not have to say anything, but if they do, it can be used against them in court.

For teachers: a formal caution administered by police to a suspect under arrest, primarily in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth jurisdictions. It outlines the right to silence and the potential judicial consequences of failing to mention facts later relied upon in court.

## Examples

- The officer read the suspect his Campbell caution before the interview.
- The defense lawyer argued that the evidence was inadmissible because the police failed to deliver the Campbell warning correctly.
- While the Miranda warning is standard in the United States, the Campbell caution serves a similar procedural function in various international legal systems to protect the rights of the accused.

## Usage notes

- Often used as a proper noun or as part of the compound 'Campbell caution' or 'Campbell warning'.

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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.