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DictionarylitigantParty in a lawsuit
noun

litigant

LIT-ih-gunt/ˈlɪtɪɡənt/

A person or organization involved as a party in a lawsuit.

The litigant sits beside her attorney, facing the judge across the courtroom.

Modern courthouse hearing: focus on a casually dressed middle-aged woman seated as a party to a lawsuit beside her suited attorney, looking seriously toward the judge; opposing party and their lawyer across aisle.
Etymology
litLatinlawsuit, dispute
+igLatindrive forward
+antLatinpresent participle ending

The roots give the image of “driving a suit” forward. The participial form describes someone carrying on that legal dispute, hence a party to a lawsuit.

In context

THE SUPREME COURT OF THE PHILIPPINES24:20
every litigant who seeks in courts or defend their claims before the courts
Media Launch of the Rules on Expedited Procedures in the First Level Courts

More examples

  • The company is a litigant in several patent lawsuits.
  • Both litigants agree to settle before the trial.
  • A litigant can represent herself without hiring a lawyer.

Forms

litigant · litigants

litigate verb — To pursue a dispute in court.

litigation noun — The process of resolving disputes in court.

Similar words

plaintiff
Specifically the litigant who brings a lawsuit against another party.
defendant
In a lawsuit, the litigant being sued by the plaintiff.