jury

1 of 3

noun

ju·​ry ˈju̇r-ē 

ˈjər-

plural juries

1

: a body of persons sworn to give a verdict on some matter submitted to them

especially : a body of persons legally selected and sworn to inquire into any matter of fact and to give their verdict according to the evidence

2

: a committee for judging and awarding prizes at a contest or exhibition

3

: one (such as the public or test results) that will decide

—used especially in the phrase the jury is still out

jury

2 of 3

verb

juried; jurying

transitive verb

: to select material as appropriate for exhibition in (something, such as an art show)

—used chiefly as a participle

a juried show

jury

3 of 3

adjective

: improvised for temporary use especially in an emergency : makeshift

a jury mast

a jury rig

Examples of jury in a Sentence

Noun

The jury failed to reach a verdict.

She was selected to serve on a jury.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Instead of sitting on a high bench, the judge was face-to-face with the jury. —Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2025

Perkins has called on Norfolk DA Michael Morrissey to resign from the post after the jury acquitted Read of second-degree murder in the death of her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, a charge Perkins says signals an inexperienced prosecutor. —Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 13 July 2025

Verb

Karen Read trial begins: How long will jury selection take? —Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2025

Timeline of events:What has happened in the year since Herman Whitfield III's death Prosecution, defense discuss what body camera footage should be shown before jury enters courtroom Attorneys on both sides agreed body camera footage should be shown to jury. —Ryan Murphy, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Dec. 2024

Adjective

The former New York City mayor had been a no-show to his non-jury civil trial that was set to begin Thursday in Manhattan federal court. —Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 16 Jan. 2025

Will fan fave Tucker be the first non-jury member to win the $50,000? —Marc Berman, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English jure, from Anglo-French juree, from jurer to swear, from Latin jurare, from jur-, jus

Adjective

Middle English jory (in jory saile improvised sail)

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1947, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing jury

• a jury of one's peers
• grand jury
• hung jury
• jury duty
• jury nullification
• jury panel
• jury-rig
• jury trial
• petit jury
• the jury is out
• traverse jury
• trial by jury
• trial jury

Rhymes for jury

• buri
• fury

Kids Definition

jury

noun

ju·​ry

ˈju̇(ə)r-ē

plural juries

1

: a body of persons sworn to inquire into a matter of fact and give their verdict

2

: a committee that judges and awards prizes at an exhibition or contest

Etymology

Noun

Middle English jure "jury," derived from early French jurer "to swear," from Latin jurare (same meaning), from jur-, jus "right, law" — related to judge, just

Legal Definition

jury

noun

ju·​ry ˈju̇r-ē 

plural juries

: a body of individuals sworn to give a decision on some matter submitted to them

especially : a body of individuals selected and sworn to inquire into a question of fact and to give their verdict according to the evidence

—occasionally used with a pl. verb

the jury are always to decide whether the inference shall be drawn

—Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

see also advisory jury, array, grand jury, inquest, jury nullification, petit jury, special jury, trial jury, venire

Note: The jury of American and English law most likely originated in early Anglo-Norman property proceedings, where a body of 12 knights or freemen who were from the area, and usually familiar with the parties, would take an oath and answer questions put to them by a judge in order to determine property rights. Jury verdicts began to be used in felony cases in the early 1200s as the use of the trial by ordeal declined. The questions put to those early juries were usually questions of fact or mixed questions of fact and law. Modern juries may deal with questions of law in addition to questions of fact when rendering general verdicts, or in specific cases under state law. Federal juries are usually limited to dealing with questions of fact. The modern jury can vary in size depending on the proceeding but is usually made up of 6 or 12 members. According to federal law, federal grand and petit juries must be “selected at random from a fair cross-section of the community in the district or division wherein the court convenes.” State jury selection varies and occasionally differs from federal, but the states still must meet constitutional requirements for due process. The U.S. Supreme Court has stated in a series of decisions that a jury is to be composed of “peers and equals,” and that systematic exclusion of a particular class (as on the basis of gender, race, or ancestry) from a jury violates the equal protection clause and the defendant's right to a jury trial. A defendant is not, however, entitled to a jury of any particular composition.

Etymology

Noun

Anglo-French juree, from feminine past participle of Old French jurer to swear, from Latin jurare, from jur-, jus law