WordValelitigation
the process of taking a dispute through the courts
In more detail
1. (noun) the process of taking legal action or fighting a case in court
2. (noun) a lawsuit or legal dispute
Examples
- 1. The company decided to pursue litigation rather than settle the dispute out of court.
- 2. The litigation between the two businesses lasted for three years.
How to use litigation
Litigation is a formal term referring to the formal legal process of pursuing or defending a lawsuit, often implying a structured court proceeding rather than informal dispute resolution. It is typically used in legal, business, and formal contexts to describe either the overall process or a specific case. The term carries a neutral or slightly formal tone and emphasizes the formal adversarial nature of legal action.
Common phrases
- costly litigation
- lengthy litigation
- litigation costs
- engage in litigation
- settle litigation
- litigation strategy
Synonyms
lawsuit · legal action · court case · legal dispute · legal proceedings
Word family
litigate (verb) · litigant (noun) · litigious (adjective) · litigiously (adverb)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes use litigation as a synonym for a simple legal question or minor complaint, when it specifically refers to formal court action or ongoing legal disputes.
Save this word in WordVale and it comes back for review right before you'd forget it — with pronunciation, real examples, and optional translations. One purchase, no subscription.
Get WordValeFREE 7-DAY TRIAL · iPHONE & iPAD