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

Stanton was born in 1815 in Johnstown, New York, the daughter of Margaret Livingston Cady and Daniel Cady, a wealthy conservative jurist. —Moira Donegan, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026

The council is composed of 12 jurists and lawyers who specialize in Islamic law and jurisprudence. —Eric Lob, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2026

One thing Mojtaba is not is a religious scholar, fit to lead a country whose founding revolutionary purpose was to place the state under the total authority of the most distinguished Shiite jurist. —Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2026

The other half is being written in the seminaries of Qom and the offices of the Guardian Council, where senior jurists are quietly running their own calculations about risk and reward. —Bobby Ghosh, Time, 5 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