# respondent

/ɹɪˈspɑndənt/ (US) · /ɹɪspˈɒndənt/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/respondent
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- Each respondent completed the survey in under ten minutes.
- The respondent filed a formal reply to the court within the required thirty-day window.
- 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 notes

- 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.

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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.