judicial

adjective ju·di·cial \ jü-ˈdi-shəl \

Definition of judicial

1 a :of or relating to a judgment, the function of judging, the administration of justice, or the judiciary

judicial processes

judicial powers

b :belonging to the branch of government that is charged with trying all cases that involve the government and with the administration of justice within its jurisdiction — compare executive, legislative

2 :ordered or enforced by a court

a judicial sale

3 :belonging or appropriate to a judge or the judiciary

judicial robes

judicial dignity

4 :of, characterized by, or expressing judgment :critical 1b

5 :arising from a judgment of God

—

judicially

play \jü-ˈdi-sh(ə-)lē\ adverb

See judicial defined for English-language learners

See judicial defined for kids

Examples of judicial in a Sentence

the judicial branch of government

Recent Examples of judicial from the Web

When to parole someone should be a judicial decision, with input from psychologists and social workers.

— maura ewing, The Atlantic, "Why So Few Violent Offenders Are Let Out on Parole," 29 Aug. 2017
The prosecution of the Namazis in Iran partly reflects deep-seated suspicions by its judicial authorities about Americans of Iranian descent who come back to visit.

— rick gladstone, New York Times, "Iran Upholds Convictions of Iranian-American Father and Son," 28 Aug. 2017
Furthermore, if Arpaio was wrongfully convicted, as his lawyers and allies maintain, the judicial system has been denied the opportunity to reverse the result.

— the editors, National Review, "A Bad Pardon," 28 Aug. 2017
Martinelli has been charged in Panama with interception of communications, and tracking, persecution and surveillance without judicial authorization, along with two additional embezzlement offenses, the complaint says.

— jay weaver, miamiherald, "Ex-Panamanian leader could be sent home to face charges. A Miami judge will decide," 23 Aug. 2017
In spite of this judicial decision, change was slow.

— katie nodjimbadem, Smithsonian, "Newly Uncovered Documents Address the Mystery of One Slave’s Life," 18 Aug. 2017
Two recent pieces — in Business Insider and The New Yorker — are among the few to underscore the Trump judicial machinery at play.

— vanityfair.com, "Donald Trump Is Rapidly Reshaping the Nation’s Courts," 4 Aug. 2017
Paulus van der Sloot, Joran's father, was a prominent judicial offical and both were living in Aruba.

— marlena scott, Teen Vogue, "Natalee Holloway's Disappearance in Aruba, Explained," 3 Aug. 2017
As Thomas notes, the abuses can be horrifying: This system — where police can seize property with limited judicial oversight and retain it for their own use — has led to egregious and well-chronicled abuses.

— david french, National Review, "America’s Asset-Forfeiture Scam Is Law Enforcement’s Disgrace," 20 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'judicial.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of judicial

Middle English, from Latin judicialis, from judicium judgment, from judex — see ²judge

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

JUDICIAL Defined for English Language Learners

judicial

adjective

Definition of judicial for English Language Learners

: of or relating to courts of law or judges
: ordered or done by a court
: responsible for dealing with all legal cases involving the government

JUDICIAL Defined for Kids

judicial

adjective ju·di·cial \ jü-ˈdi-shəl \

Definition of judicial for Students

1 :of courts or judges

the judicial branch

2 :ordered or done by a court

judicial review

—

judicially

adverb

Law Dictionary

judicial

adjective ju·di·cial \ jü-ˈdi-shəl \

legal Definition of judicial

1 a :of or relating to a judgment, the function of judging, the administration of justice, or the judiciary

b :of, relating to, or being the branch of government that is charged with trying all cases that involve the government and with the administration of justice within its jurisdiction — compare administrative 2, executive 1, legislative

2 :created, ordered, or enforced by a court