justice

noun

jus·tice | \ ˈjə-stəs

plural justices

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 justice

b : judge especially : a judge of an appellate court or court of last resort (as a supreme court) a supreme court justice —used as a title Justice Marshall

c : 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 their decision

b(1) : the principle or ideal of just dealing or right action

(2) : conformity to this principle or ideal : righteousness the justice of their cause

c : 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

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing justice Learn More About justice

Synonyms & Antonyms for justice

Synonyms

Antonyms

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web Lamont’s spokesman, Max Reiss, said Lamont remains on good terms with lawmakers as shown by bipartisan votes on mental health, juvenile justice, and other issues. — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 5 May 2022 CBS News reporter covering homeland security and justice. — Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 4 May 2022 If the chief justice is not in the majority, the opinion is assigned by the most senior justice in the majority. — The Editors, National Review, 3 May 2022 Centering justice, equity, and inclusion in our law enforcement agency is critical to earning community trust and delivering on the promise of community safety. — oregonlive, 2 May 2022 Higa said restorative justice in schools is his passion. — Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 2022 Two years before George Holliday recorded Los Angeles police officers beating Rodney King, indisputable video evidence of police brutality brought hope that justice was on the horizon. — New York Times, 28 Apr. 2022 Yet formal court justice is better than none at all, von Schirach told Variety at Canneseries. — John Hopewell, Variety, 27 Apr. 2022 The new Supreme Court justice was formerly an appeals court judge with nine years experience on the federal bench. — Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 7 Apr. 2022 See More

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.

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From the Editors at Merriam-Webster

Dictionary Entries Near justice

just for fun

justice

justice's warrant

Statistics for justice

Last Updated

7 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Justice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/justice. Accessed 19 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for justice

justice

noun

jus·tice | \ ˈjəs-təs

Kids Definition of justice

1 : fair treatment Everyone deserves justice.

2 : judge entry 2 sense 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.

justice

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