Definition of justice
1a : 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 justiceb : judge a supreme court justice —used as a title Justice Marshallc : 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
2a : the quality of being just, impartial, or fair questioned the justice of the their decisionb (1) : the principle or ideal of just dealing or right action (2) : conformity to this principle or ideal : righteousness the justice of their causec : the quality of conforming to law
3 : conformity to truth, fact, or reason : correctness admitted that there was much justice in these observations — T. L. Peacock
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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 of justice from the Web
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But everyone in the room seemed aligned that incarcerating kids is to be avoided, and that other forms of justice and rehabilitation should be pursued, except maybe in the most extreme violent cases.
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There were congressmen, state lawmakers and state Supreme Court justices.
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Both sides would file their legal arguments about whether the policy violates the Constitution or federal law over the summer and the justices could hear argument as early as the fall, under the schedule proposed by the administration Thursday.
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The government's filing late Thursday asks the justices to set aside the 4th Circuit ruling and accept the case for oral arguments.
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Also on Tuesday, during a speech in Sydney, Senator John McCain said that Australia wasn’t alone in questioning whether America was still committed to upholding peace and justice around the world.
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The justices agreed to hear the case, Husted v. A. Philip Randolph Institute, in their weekly release of orders on Tuesday.
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The justices were unanimous in saying lower courts had erred in upholding a $4 million award to Angel Mendez and his pregnant girlfriend, Jennifer Garcia, who is now his wife.
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Last month, a New York State Supreme Court justice rejected Mr. Gliklad’s argument that the Manhattan court had jurisdiction over Mr. Deripaska.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'justice'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of justice
Middle English, from Anglo-French justise, from Latin justitia, from justus —see 1just
Other Legal Terms
JUSTICE Defined for English Language Learners
justice
playDefinition of justice for English Language Learners
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: the process or result of using laws to fairly judge and punish crimes and criminals
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: a judge in a court of law
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Justice —used as a title for a judge (such as a judge of the U.S. Supreme Court)
JUSTICE Defined for Kids
Law Dictionary
justice
playLegal Definition of justice
1a : 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 laws — Scott 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
2a : 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 justice — G. 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
Origin and Etymology of justice
Old French, from Latin justitia, from justus just
Learn More about justice
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for justice Spanish Central: Translation of justice Nglish: Translation of justice for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of justice for Arabic speakers
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