justice

noun

jus·​tice ˈjə-stəs 

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 observations

—T. L. Peacock

Synonyms

• equity
• fair shake
• right

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

During the May 15 hearing, justices asked attorneys for both sides about the consequences of allowing the order to take effect. —Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 16 May 2025

Private property was an essential aspect of his views on social justice. —Alejandro Antonio Chafuen, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025

Joe Don Baker, the actor who as the real-life Sheriff Buford Pusser in the 1973 vigilante film Walking Tall carried a big stick to mete out his own Tennessee brand of justice, died May 7, his family has announced. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 15 May 2025

But the new indictment accuses 12 other men and Lam of charges that include RICO Conspiracy, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to launder monetary instruments, and obstruction of justice. —Dan Mangan, CNBC, 15 May 2025

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

Phrases Containing justice

• chief justice
• do justice
• do justice to
• fugitive from justice
• justice is served/done
• justice of the peace
• miscarriage of justice
• pervert justice
• pervert the course of justice
• poetic justice

Rhymes for justice

• injustice

Kids Definition

justice

noun

jus·​tice ˈjəs-təs 

1

: just conduct, management, or treatment

do justice to a book

2

a

: judge entry 2 sense 1

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 

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 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

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 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

Etymology

Old French, from Latin justitia, from justus just