indictment

noun

1. (countable, uncountable)An official formal accusation for a criminal offence, or the process by which it is brought to a jury.

   “But she accomplished the third task — the one that mattered most to her boss — securing a criminal indictment against Mr. Comey, the former F.B.I. director.”

2. (countable, uncountable)The official legal document outlining the charges concerned; bill of indictment.

   “[…]— the indictment will remain sealed until his expected arraignment on Tuesday, when the charges will be formally revealed.”

3. (countable, uncountable)An accusation of wrongdoing; a criticism or condemnation.

   “Can there be a greater indictment against patriotism than that it will thus brand a man a criminal, throw him into prison, and rob him of the results of fifteen years of faithful service?”

   “I must say Humphrey, these facts are a frightening indictment of bureaucratic sloppiness and self-indulgence.”

   “I have been critical of the RDG in the past for merely being a cypher for government announcements, but the failure of its members to make a stand on this issue and not be complicit in the Government's subterfuge is a shocking indictment of their failure to protect the industry.”

4. (countable, uncountable)Evidence of failure or poor performance.

   “an indictment of his ability to lead”

   “an indictment of his game”

   “a stinging indictment of our prison system”