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

Former Cook County Chief Judge Tim Evans has been appointed to serve as a justice for an Illinois appeals court, securing a prestigious judgeship nearly a year after he was unseated as the top Cook County jurist. — Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026

And rather than have the designers come to the jury (of which this editor was a member), the jurists spent several hours with each designer in their own space. — Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 6 Aug. 2026

Conflict of laws issues then will go on to occasionally fry the minds of even the most brilliant litigators and jurists. — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

The once-quiet judges see a growing threat in a president who personally attacks jurists ruling against him. — Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 11 July 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