respondent
respondent Lexical Profile
respondent Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A person who replies to something, especially one who answers questions in a survey, poll, or research questionnaire.
"Nearly seventy percent of the survey respondents indicated that they preferred flexible working hours."
A party against whom a legal petition is filed, especially one who contests a divorce petition or defends against an appeal in a higher court.
"The appellate judges listened carefully to the arguments presented by counsel for the respondent."
• adjective
In the position of a party defending or answering in a legal proceeding, such as an appeal or a divorce petition.
"The respondent company filed a formal brief asking the appellate court to uphold the original ruling."
Replying, answering, or reacting readily to an inquiry, stimulus, or influence.
"In behavioral psychology, respondent conditioning involves automatic reflexes triggered by a specific stimulus."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'respondent' with 'correspondent' (a journalist or letter writer). In legal contexts, a 'respondent' is typically the party answering a petition or an appeal, whereas a 'defendant' is the party answering a civil complaint or criminal charge.
• Rhymes for respondent
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 14th century from Latin 'respondentem', the present participle of 'respondere' ('to answer, reply, or promise in return'), formed from 're-' ('back') and 'spondere' ('to pledge').