1 [reporting verb] make an emotional appeal: [no object]:she pleaded with them not to gag the boy [with direct speech]:‘Don’t go,’ she pleaded [with infinitive]:Anne pleaded to go with her (as adjective pleading)he gave her a pleading look
2 [with object] present and argue for (a position), especially in court or in another public context:the idea that in public relations work someone is paid to plead a special case is disliked
[no object] Law address a court as an advocate on behalf of a party:the Constitution prohibits a retired Supreme Court judge from pleading before any court
[no object, with complement] Law state formally in court whether one is guilty or not guilty of the offence with which one is charged:the youth pleaded guilty to murdering the girl
Law invoke (a reason or a point of law) as an accusation or defence:on trial for attempted murder, she pleaded self-defence
offer or present as an excuse for doing or not doing something:he pleaded family commitments as a reason for not attending
