plea
[pliː]
A plea is a request for help or mercy. You might hear someone make a plea on TV, asking viewers to donate money.
When we talk about pleas, we often think of lawyers making requests in court on behalf of their clients. For example, if someone is being sentenced for a crime, the lawyer might make a heartfelt plea to try to get them a lighter punishment or even have them let off free. In this sense, a plea is like an emotional appeal that tries to change someone's mind. But pleas can also be informal requests in everyday life - you could ask your boss for a raise with a plea for understanding about how hard the job is.
How common is "plea"?
Word plea is considered uncommon in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
Definitions
noun
An appeal, petition, urgent prayer or entreaty.
Example: a plea for mercy
plaidoyer
verb
To plead; to argue.
Real examples of "plea" in context
