reply legal definition

A plaintiffÂ’s response to a defendantÂ’s answer or counterclaim in a civil case; a plaintiffÂ’s response (with the courtÂ’s permission) to a charge from a third party; in common law, the answer of the plaintiff to the answer or pleading of the defendant; the reply may be followed by a rejoinder by the defendant.

the act of responding to a pleading of an opposing party.