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

Her story shines a light on the aging judiciary, where the average age of federal jurists is 69. —Carrie Johnson, NPR, 29 Mar. 2026

Harvey Brownstone, a jurist and author who served in the Ontario Court of Justice for 26 years, expressed surprise at Oklahoma’s closed system. —Jc Hallman, Oklahoma Watch, 22 Mar. 2026

There will likely be one Black judge remaining in the county court system next year — a jurist who was named to the bench, not elected. —Molly Smith, San Antonio Express-News, 20 Mar. 2026

Judges in one of the nation’s largest court systems have started using artificial intelligence, testing a tool that can rapidly distill hundreds of pages of legal motions and use samples of a jurist’s writing style to help reach conclusions and even draft tentative rulings. —James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026

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