›[C]a written or spoken statement in which someone says that somebody has done something wrong or that something is not satisfactory: lodge/make/receive a complaintThe council has said that it received complaints but that it cannot disclose details.deal with/handle complaintsThey have an efficient system in place for dealing with customer complaints.complaint about sb/sthThe gas company has promised to investigate the man's complaint about a quarterly bill for £1,500.complaint against sb/sthComplaints against an employment agency should be made to the Employment Agencies Standards office.
›[C or U] the act of complaining, or a reason for someone to complain: The biggest complaint about the new proposal is that it could increase costs.cause/grounds for complaintOn this occasion, shareholders have little cause for complaint.We have received several letters of complaint.
›[C]LAWa formal statement that someone has harmed somebody else or done something illegal, which must be proved in a court of law: file/lodge a complaintA complaint alleging financial wrongdoing was lodged with the district attorney's office.