jurist

noun

ju·​rist ˈju̇r-ist 

: one having a thorough knowledge of law

especially : judge

Synonyms of jurist

• judge
• court

Examples of jurist in a Sentence

earned a reputation as one of the most learned jurists in the federal courts

Recent Examples on the Web

Amid the reporting, his chief judge banned jurists at his court from including chats during court livestreams . —Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 13 Nov. 2025

All three of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices who sought reelection Tuesday will get another term, ensuring Democratic jurists keep their majority on the presidential battleground state’s highest court — one at the center of pivotal fights over voting rights, redistricting and elections. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025

The Bonhoeffers constituted a long line of pastors, doctors, scientists, and jurists. —Alex Ross, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2025

Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the court’s most senior liberal jurist, in particular questioned whether Chiles faced an imminent enough threat of enforcement to bring the case. —Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 7 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle French juriste, from Medieval Latin jurista, from Latin jur-, jus

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for jurist

• purest
• purist
• surest
• tourist

Kids Definition

jurist

noun

ju·​rist ˈju̇(ə)r-əst 

: one (as a lawyer or judge) having a thorough knowledge of law

Legal Definition

jurist

noun

ju·​rist ˈju̇r-ist 

: an individual having a thorough knowledge of law

especially : judge

the state's top jurist violated the U.S. Constitution when he banned the filming

—National Law Journal

Etymology

Middle French juriste, from Medieval Latin jurista, from Latin jur-, jus law