John Doe

noun

1
: a party to legal proceedings whose true name is unknown
2
: an average man

Examples of John Doe in a Sentence

to John Doe the most important issues in any election are usually those that affect his wallet
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
With one case in the black, Ballard chooses the next one, John Doe #38, a man last seen on CCTV seven years prior carrying an infant at a bus station. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 9 July 2025 AllHipHop reported that the lawsuit, filed by John Doe, alleges that the incident occurred in September 2020. Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 8 July 2025 Accompanying her in the video were performers as diverse as Hervé Villechaize, Britt Ekland, and John Doe and Exene Cervenka from the band X. Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 26 June 2025 The man, who has not been identified, is listed in the suit as a John Doe. Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for John Doe

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of John Doe was in 1593

Cite this Entry

“John Doe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/John%20Doe. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

John Doe

noun
: a person in legal proceedings whose true name is unknown or withheld

Legal Definition

John Doe

noun
: a party to legal proceedings (as a suspect) whose true name is unknown or withheld compare jane roe, richard roe
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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