justice

play

noun jus·tice \ˈjə-stəs\

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

See justice defined for English-language learners

See justice defined for kids

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

On June 26th, the justices refused to review the ruling, leaving the federal appeal decision as is and residents with little hope of relief.

— maggie maloney, Town & Country, "East Hampton Residents Are Trying to Limit Noise From Local Airport Traffic", 5 July 2017
Today, shooters, shooters and more shooters dominate as defensive rules allow them to roam without fear of any Bill Laimbeer-esque front-court justice.

— bryce miller, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Lakers need to think 'long' during NBA rebuild", 4 July 2017
Justices Daniel Eismann and Warren Jones concurred with Horton.

— john sowell, idahostatesman, "Convicted twice for killing a couple camping in Idaho, this man now gets a 3rd trial", 3 July 2017
Then as now, New York justices of the peace handled lower-level crimes and disputes and officiated marriages.

— erin blakemore, Smithsonian, "Rare Colonial Court Documents Found on eBay", 30 June 2017
The justice ministry didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment.

— david biller, Bloomberg.com, "Brazil Stops Issuing Passports in Budget Dispute", 28 June 2017
The case came to the justices from two federal appellate courts.

— david b. rivkin jr. and lee a. casey, WSJ, "The Justices Lay Down the Law", 27 June 2017
The real obstructer of justice is the former attorney general, Loretta Lynch. .

— bess levin, The Hive, "Trump Is Testing a Dangerous New Theory About “Collusion”", 27 June 2017
She's mentioned in the book and briefly in Episode 7, but there just wasn't enough time to do her justice in Season 1, Miller told THR.

— julie kosin, Harper's BAZAAR, "The Handmaid's Tale Season 2: Everything We Know So Far", 22 June 2017

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

NEW!

First Known Use: 12th century

See Words from the same year

Other Legal Terms

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

JUSTICE Defined for English Language Learners

justice

play

noun

Definition of justice for English Language Learners

: the process or result of using laws to fairly judge and punish crimes and criminals
: a judge in a court of law
Justice —used as a title for a judge (such as a judge of the U.S. Supreme Court)

JUSTICE Defined for Kids

justice

play

noun jus·tice \ˈjəs-təs\

Definition of justice for Students

1 : fair treatment Everyone deserves justice.
2 : ²judge 1
3 : the process or result of using laws to fairly judge people accused of crimes
4 : the quality of being fair or just They were treated with justice.

Law Dictionary

justice

play

noun jus·tice \ˈjəs-təs\

Legal 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