A published false statement that is damaging to a person's reputation; a written defamation. The newspaper was sued for libel after publishing an article with false information about the celebrity.
The act of writing or publishing such a statement. He was accused of libel for the defamatory comments he posted online.
A formal written declaration by a plaintiff, especially in admiralty or ecclesiastical courts, setting forth the cause of action. The shipowner filed a libel against the insurer for the loss of cargo.