How is "defamation" described in legal terms?

Defamation in legal terms involves the act of communicating false statements about an individual that ultimately cause harm to that individual's reputation. This definition encompasses both spoken statements, known as slander, and written statements, known as libel. The critical component of defamation is the falsity of the statements made; for a claim to be valid, the statements must not only be untrue but also damaging to the reputation of the person in question.

Understanding this concept is significant because it protects individuals from unwarranted damage to their personal and professional lives due to misinformation. It is worth mentioning that truth is a primary defense against defamation claims, meaning that if the statements are true, they do not constitute defamation, regardless of the impact on the person's reputation. The other options do not accurately encapsulate the essence of defamation as they either misrepresent the nature of the complaint or the aspects of communication with respect to reputation.