Respondent
/rɪˈspɒndənt/
Definitions
2 meaningsA person who answers a questionnaire or survey; or a defendant in a legal case.
/rɪˈspɒndənt/
A person who answers a survey or questionnaire.
The researchers interviewed several respondents about their experiences.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're asking a bunch of people for their opinions on pizza toppings. Each person who answers is a respondent! They are providing a response.
👶 For kids: It's the person who gives an answer when someone asks them a question, like in a survey.
More Examples
The respondent's views were crucial to the study's findings.
The survey collected responses from a broad range of respondents.
How It's Used
"The survey gathered data from 500 respondents across the country."
"The respondent in the case filed a counter-claim."
In legal contexts, the party against whom an appeal or petition is made.
/rɪˈspɒndənt/
The party responding to an appeal or petition.
The respondent had to answer to the accusations.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone sued you, you are the respondent. You are the person responding to their claim in court. The opposite would be the person who filed the initial lawsuit.
👶 For kids: It's the person in a court case who has to answer the questions that someone is asking.
More Examples
The legal team prepared a defense for the respondent.
The court heard arguments from both the appellant and the respondent.
How It's Used
"The respondent filed a brief contesting the appeal."
From Latin respondens, present participle of respondēre, meaning "to answer".
The term respondent has been used in legal and survey contexts since the 17th century.
Memory tip
Think of the person responding to your questions or being asked questions in court. That's the respondent.
Practice
Word Origin
Root: respondēre