# REA

/ˈɹeɪ/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rea
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

a legal rule that says a person cannot be punished for a crime if they were not actually present when it happened. It is a very specific term used in older law books.

For teachers: a common law principle or plea asserting that a defendant cannot be held liable for an act committed in their absence. Derived from the Latin 're absente', it is primarily encountered in historical legal contexts or specific jurisdictional precedents.

## Examples

- The lawyer used the REA rule to defend his client.
- The defense argued for the application of REA, noting the defendant was in another city during the incident.
- While modern statutes often supersede such doctrines, the principle of REA remains a foundational reference for understanding the evolution of personal liability in criminal proceedings.

## Usage notes

- Typically functions as a technical legal term; often appears in capital letters in case law summaries.

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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.