justice

noun

jus·​tice ˈjə-stəs How to pronounce justice (audio)
plural justices
1
a
: the maintenance or administration of what is just especially by the impartial adjustment of conflicting claims or the assignment of merited rewards or punishments
meting out justice
social justice
b
: judge
especially : a judge of an appellate court or court of last resort (as a supreme court)
a supreme court justice
used as a title
Justice Marshall
c
: the administration of law
a fugitive from justice
especially : the establishment or determination of rights according to the rules of law or equity
a system of justice
2
a
: the quality of being just, impartial, or fair
questioned the justice of their decision
b(1)
: the principle or ideal of just dealing or right action
(2)
: conformity to this principle or ideal : righteousness
the justice of their cause
c
: the quality of conforming to law
3
: conformity to truth, fact, or reason : correctness
admitted that there was much justice in these observationsT. L. Peacock

Examples of justice in a Sentence

They received justice in court. the U.S. Department of Justice criminals attempting to escape justice The role of the courts is to dispense justice fairly to everyone. She is a justice of the state supreme court. I saw no justice in the court's decision. We should strive to achieve justice for all people.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Opposition parties have since stymied Lai's agenda, refusing to approve constitutional court justices, slashing spending, and cutting defense budgets. Jan Camenzind Broomby, NPR, 26 July 2025 Last month, in a case challenging a popular provision of the Affordable Care Act, the justices upheld the constitutionality of the task force, which recommends preventive health care services that insurers must cover at no cost. Katherine Dillinger, CNN Money, 26 July 2025 While these system-wide criticisms must be further investigated, there are also environmental justice concerns that come from a site-by-site analysis of existing carbon utilization and storage projects, especially around pore space ownership. The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 25 July 2025 In a 2024 report, the EPA wrote many medical sterilization facilities in the United States are located near residences, schools and communities with environmental justice concerns. Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 25 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for justice

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French justise, from Latin justitia, from justus — see just entry 1

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of justice was in the 12th century

Cite this Entry

“Justice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/justice. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

justice

noun
jus·​tice ˈjəs-təs How to pronounce justice (audio)
1
: just conduct, management, or treatment
do justice to a book
2
b
: the administration of law
received justice in court
3
a
: the quality of being fair or just
b
: basis in morality, the right, or the law

Legal Definition

justice

noun
jus·​tice ˈjəs-təs How to pronounce justice (audio)
1
a
: the quality of being just, impartial, or fair
it is not the province of the court to decide upon the justice or injustice…of these lawsScott v. Sanford, 60 U.S. 393 (1857)
b
: the principle or ideal of just dealing
also : conformity to the principle or ideal of just dealing
2
a
: the administration of law
a fugitive from justice
especially : the establishment or determination of rights according to law or equity
system of justice
b
: fair, just, or impartial legal process
courts or tribunals…for the administration of international justiceG. R. Winters
3
: judge
especially : a judge of an appellate court or court of last resort (as a supreme court)
insults to particular justices and threats of civil disobedience were bandied freely R. H. Bork
Etymology

Old French, from Latin justitia, from justus just

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