pleadplead /pliːd/ verb (past tensepst and past participlepp pleaded or pled /pled/) [intransitiveI, transitiveT]LAW to state in a court of law whether you are guilty of a crime or notCharged with fraud for selling the fakes, they agreed to plead guilty (=to admit that they did the crime).
He pleaded no contest to (=said that he would not defend himself against) two assault charges and resigned his office in disgrace.