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DictionaryarraignFormal criminal charge
verb

arraign

uh-RAYN/əˈreɪn/

To formally call someone to answer an accusation of wrongdoing.

The court will arraign the defendant on the new charges tomorrow.

A defendant stands with counsel before a judge to hear a charge at arraignment, no depiction of guilt as established.
Etymology
arLatinto, toward
+raignLatinreckoning, argumentation

The idea of directing a reckoning toward someone became a legal “calling to account.” To arraign people is to bring them before a court to answer an accusation.

In context

Case Xplain1:01
You waive your right to a lawyer? >> Yes. >> So, I'll go ahead and arraign you. I'll set bond.
“That's Not What You Told Me” — Judge McNally Catches a Major Contradiction

More examples

  • The accused was arraigned before a judge.
  • The editorial arraigns the administration for ignoring the warnings.
  • Officials began arraigning those charged in the investigation.

Forms

arraign · arraigns · arraigned · arraigning

Similar words

charge
Formally accuses without necessarily bringing someone before a court.
indict
Issues a formal criminal accusation rather than conducting an arraignment.