noun
    
    plural pleas
    
    [count] a serious and emotional request for something
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    law
    
    a statement in which a person who has been accused of a crime says in court that he or she is guilty or not guilty of the crime
    
    
    
    
    
    a statement in which a person says that he or she is guilty of a particular crime :a plea of guilty
    
    
    
    a reason or excuse for committing a crime
    
    
    
    cop a plea