arraignment meaning and definition

ARRAIGNMENT noun

Definition of arraignment (noun)

1. A legal proceeding in which a defendant is brought into court, told of the charges in an indictment or information, and asked to plead guilty or not guilty.
   • "After his arrest, the suspect was held in custody awaiting his arraignment."
   • "The defendant's arraignment was scheduled for the following week."
   • "During the arraignment, the charges against the defendant were read out, and they pleaded not guilty."