1. an urgent and emotional request for something
2. a defendant’s formal answer to a criminal charge in court
Usage: legal
3. an excuse or justification offered for something

Examples

• She made a desperate plea for help.
• The charity issued a plea for donations.
• He entered a plea of not guilty.
• The defendant changed his plea to guilty.
• Her plea of ignorance was not accepted.
• The mother’s plea touched everyone’s heart.
• The judge accepted the plea bargain.