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
From the M-W Editors
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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The technical issue before the justices involves the legal standard for reopening a case in federal district court after appeals are concluded.
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Mosby believes that the country is in the midst of a paradigm shift in criminal justice, in which city prosecutors are learning to redirect energy from the drug war toward violent crime.
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In the meantime, the board submitted an emergency application that asked the justices to let school officials continue to bar Mr. Grimm from the boys’ bathroom.
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The French justice minister, Jean-Jacques Urvoas, said after a cabinet meeting that Mr. Abdeslam would be held in isolation in a prison in the Paris region.
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Nevertheless, seekers for truth, justice, and the American way still flock to this Smallville-sized burg, especially during the Superman Celebration event held every June.
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For people in Hong Kong, China’s justice system does not have far to reach.
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In his concurring opinion, Jackson—a justice appointed by a Democratic president, voting against a Democratic president in a landmark case—repeatedly called attention to his own past professional life.
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Anyway, Kris has moved his big brain into the field of criminal justice.
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Origin and Etymology of justice
Middle English, from Anglo-French justise, from Latin justitia, from justus —see 1just
First Known Use: 12th century
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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