noun
Common
plea
plee
Plea (noun) means an urgent, heartfelt request. Example: “The villagers sent a desperate plea for help after the flood.”
noun
1
An urgent, heartfelt request.
"The villagers sent a desperate plea for help after the flood."
"She made a tearful plea for donations to the shelter."
"His plea for forgiveness went unanswered."
2
Law: a formal statement by a defendant responding to a charge.
"The man changed his plea to guilty on the morning of the trial."
"Her lawyer advised her to enter a plea at the first hearing."
"The defendant entered a plea of not guilty."
How to use plea
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA heartfelt appeal, or, in a courtroom, a defendant's formal answer to a charge.
Common pairings
enter a plea
plea for help
plea bargain
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Word forms
- Plural
- pleas
- Third person singular
- pleas
- Past tense
- pleaed
Fill the gap
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The villagers sent a desperate _____ for help after the flood.
Etymology
From Old French plait/plaid, from Medieval Latin placitum ("a decree" or "that which pleases"). Related to please and pleasure.
Related words
Rhymes for plea
See all rhymes for plea →Frequently asked questions
What does “plea” mean?
The word “plea” means an urgent, heartfelt request. In plain terms, a heartfelt appeal, or, in a courtroom, a defendant's formal answer to a charge.
How do you pronounce “plea”?
“Plea” is pronounced plee (/pliː/ in IPA).
How do you use “plea” in a sentence?
Here is “plea” used in a sentence: “She made a tearful plea for donations to the shelter.”
What is another word for “plea”?
Words with a similar meaning to “plea” include plaidoyer.
What part of speech is “plea”?
“Plea” is a noun.
Where does the word “plea” come from?
The word “plea” comes from Medieval Latin. From Old French plait/plaid, from Medieval Latin placitum ("a decree" or "that which pleases"). Related to please and pleasure.
Is “plea” a common word?
“Plea” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “plea” have?
“Plea” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an urgent, heartfelt request.
What is the difference between a plea and a request?
A plea is an urgent, heartfelt request made with strong emotion, while an ordinary request can be routine or neutral. A plea implies desperation or deep need, so it carries far more emotional weight than a simple ask.
What is the difference between a plea and a plea bargain?
A plea is a defendant's formal response to a charge, while a plea bargain is an agreement in which the defendant pleads guilty, often to a lesser charge, in exchange for a lighter sentence. The plea is the statement itself; the bargain is the negotiated deal behind it.
What words commonly go with "plea"?
Common pairings include "a plea for help," "a heartfelt plea," and "a desperate plea," plus the legal phrases "enter a plea" and "plea of guilty." These collocations reflect the word's two senses — an emotional appeal and a formal legal response.
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