re·spon·dent
ri-ˈspän-dənt 
1
: one who responds: such as
a
: one who maintains a thesis in reply
b(1)
: one who answers in various legal proceedings (as in equity cases)
(2)
: the prevailing party in the lower court
c
: a person who responds to a poll
1
: making response : responsive
especially
: being a respondent at law
2
: relating to or being behavior or responses to a stimulus that are followed by a reward
respondent conditioning
compare operant sense 3
Examples of respondent in a Sentence
Noun
A majority of respondents said they disagreed with the mayor's plan.
Recent Examples on the Web
Chris Westfall, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
One way that travelers are looking to save money is by shortening their trips, with 32% of respondents indicating plans to do so in the financial website’s Oct. 21 survey.
—Cailey Gleeson, Journal Sentinel, 19 Nov. 2024
Hannah Drown, cleveland, 10 Oct. 2022
The legal doctrine of respondent superior states that an employer can be vicariously liable for the improper actions of its employee or agent.
—Tom Spiggle, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2022
See all Example Sentences for respondent 
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Noun
According to the report, 98% of respondents would like to work remotely, at least some of the time, for the rest of their careers.
—Chris Westfall, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
One way that travelers are looking to save money is by shortening their trips, with 32% of respondents indicating plans to do so in the financial website’s Oct. 21 survey.
—Cailey Gleeson, Journal Sentinel, 19 Nov. 2024
Adjective
The respondent pool was reviewed to ensure U.S. Census targets for gender, age, race, education and home ownership were met.
—Hannah Drown, cleveland, 10 Oct. 2022
The legal doctrine of respondent superior states that an employer can be vicariously liable for the improper actions of its employee or agent.
—Tom Spiggle, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2022
See all Example Sentences for respondent
Dictionary Entries Near respondent
Cite this Entry
“Respondent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/respondent. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
respondent
1 of 2 noun
re·spon·dent
ri-ˈspän-dənt
: a reflex that occurs in response to a specific external stimulus
the knee jerk is a typical respondent
Legal Definition
respondent
noun
re·spon·dent
ri-ˈspän-dənt
: one who answers or defends in various proceedings: as
a
: an answering party in an equitable proceeding
b
: a party against whom a petition (as for a writ of habeas corpus) seeking relief is brought
c
: an answering party in a proceeding in juvenile court or family court
specifically
: a party against whom a divorce proceeding is brought
d
: a party prevailing at trial who defends the outcome on appeal : appellee
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