English Reference
Noun

respondent

n. countable
C1 Advanced US /ɹɪˈspɑndənt/ UK /ɹɪspˈɒndənt/ re·spon·dent UK spelling respondent's, respondent's Law

n.a person who answers a set of questions, like in a survey or a study. In a legal case, it is also the person who must answer a formal complaint or appeal.

n.a person who provides answers to a questionnaire or survey; in legal contexts, the party against whom a petition or appeal is brought. Often contrasted with the 'petitioner' or 'appellant' in civil proceedings.


SIMPLE

Each respondent completed the survey in under ten minutes.

CONTEXTUAL

The respondent filed a formal reply to the court within the required thirty-day window.

COMPLEX

While the majority of respondents expressed satisfaction with the current policy, a significant minority highlighted concerns regarding the lack of transparency in the decision-making process.

Usage

In legal contexts, the term refers specifically to the defendant in a petition; in social sciences, it refers to any participant answering data-collection instruments.

Usage respondents found

Nearly six in 10 respondents said they expected another RBA rate hike after the central bank held its cash rate at 4.35% last week – similar to the previous month.

The Guardian· 18 Aug 2026

Just 33 per cent of respondents in ​the four-day survey said they approved of Trump's performance in the White House, while 64 per cent disapproved.

BreakingNews.ie· 17 Aug 2026

Common in history writing

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated