Juris Doctor

noun Ju·ris Doctor \ ˈju̇r-əs- \

Definition of Juris Doctor

: a degree conferred by a law school usually after three years of full-time study

Origin and Etymology of juris doctor

Latin, doctor of law

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1969

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Law Dictionary

juris doctor

noun, often capitalized J&D ju·ris doc·tor \ ˈju̇r-əs-ˌdäk-tər \

legal Definition of juris doctor

: the lowest degree conferred by a law school usually after three years of full-time study or its equivalent — compare master of laws, doctor of laws, doctor of the science of law

Note: The juris doctor replaced the bachelor of laws as the first degree conferred by a law school in 1969. Not all states mention the J.D. or LL.B. specifically as a requirement for admission to the bar, but all states do require graduation from a law school.