justice

noun

jus·​tice ˈjə-stəs How to pronounce justice (audio)
plural justices
1
a
: 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
2
a
: 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 observationsT. L. Peacock

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 on the Web More:Alabama justice invoked 'the wrath of a holy God' in IVF opinion. Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2024 Running as a moderate who can balance reform with justice, ex-federal prosecutor Jeff Chemerinsky was one of the lone candidates to embrace criminal justice reform while challenging Gascón. James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024 McConnell, who led an effort in Trump’s presidency to confirm hundreds of judges and three Supreme Court justices, is a ruthlessly pragmatic politician in many ways. Josh Dawsey, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024 Is this a group that is really genuinely feeling that there is a sort of justice gap here— that they’re being asked to pay for the sins of higher carbon producers, or is this astroturfing? Stephen Cass, IEEE Spectrum, 6 Mar. 2024 Although the justices provided different reasons, the decision's bottom line was unanimous. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 5 Mar. 2024 The French-Polish filmmaker, director of such films as Chinatown, Rosemary’s Baby and The Pianist, has remained active and productive despite being a fugitive from U.S. justice for more than 40 years. Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Mar. 2024 Supreme Court The Supreme Court may hand down at least one opinion today, driving speculation that the justices are prepared to decide whether Donald Trump is eligible to appear on Colorado’s presidential ballot. Aj Willingham, CNN, 4 Mar. 2024 Still, the scope of the majority opinion was the subject of harsh criticism from the liberal justices. Adam Liptak, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'justice.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French justise, from Latin justitia, from justus — see just entry 1

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of justice was in the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near justice

Cite this Entry

“Justice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/justice. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

justice

noun
jus·​tice ˈjəs-təs How to pronounce justice (audio)
1
: just conduct, management, or treatment
do justice to a book
2
b
: the administration of law
received justice in court
3
a
: the quality of being fair or just
b
: basis in morality, the right, or the law

Legal Definition

justice

noun
jus·​tice ˈjəs-təs How to pronounce justice (audio)
1
a
: 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 lawsScott 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
2
a
: 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 justiceG. 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
Etymology

Old French, from Latin justitia, from justus just

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