bench

bench

noun

Definition of BENCH

1

a public official having authority to decide questions of law <appealed to the bench for leniency>

Synonyms adjudicator, beak [chiefly British], bench, court, jurist, justice, magistrate

Related Words chief justice, circuit judge, justice of the peace, squire; auditor, master; jurisconsult, jurisprudent

2

an assembly of persons for the administration of justice <a ruling from the bench is expected any day now>

Synonyms bar, bench, forum, tribunal

Related Words criminal court, judicatory, judicature, judiciary; high court, supreme court; court-martial, drumhead court-martial; inquisition, kangaroo court