The meaning of PLEADING is advocacy of a cause in a court of law. How to use pleading in a sentence.A summons is a pre-printed legal form that tells a defendant that he or she is being sued. A complaint is considered a pleading. A pleading is a formal document that starts or defends a lawsuit. O It is your written response to the claims in the. A pleading is a formal written statement of one party's claims or defenses in response to another party's complaint(s) in a civil action. The meaning of PLEAD is to argue a case or cause in a court of law. How to use plead in a sentence. If you are a pro se litigant, this guide will help you to understand some of the legal terms you are likely to hear as your case proceeds.