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
Happily, the one in question is noted singer-songwriter John Doe, who will also perform Nov. 13 at the Balboa Theater with his pioneering Los Angeles band, X. Other North Park Music Fest acts this year include such local favorites as The Schizophonics, Lisa Sanders and Gayle Skidmore.
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George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2025
The perpetrators are usually identified in the lawsuits as some variation on John Doe, with few identifying details.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
One tool, known as a John Doe DNA warrant, has made news after a former police chief serving sentences for murder and rape escaped from an Arkansas prison Sunday.
—Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 28 May 2025
If, on the other hand, John Doe is innocent, there won’t be enough evidence against him to show the judge, and he’ll be released.
—William W Bedsworth, Oc Register, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for John Doe
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George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2025
The perpetrators are usually identified in the lawsuits as some variation on John Doe, with few identifying details.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
One tool, known as a John Doe DNA warrant, has made news after a former police chief serving sentences for murder and rape escaped from an Arkansas prison Sunday.
—Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 28 May 2025
If, on the other hand, John Doe is innocent, there won’t be enough evidence against him to show the judge, and he’ll be released.
—William W Bedsworth, Oc Register, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for John Doe
Cite this Entry
“John Doe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/John%20Doe. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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