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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web Elsewhere, a federal civil rights case was filed last year against four Louisville, Kentucky, police officers over a drug raid that led to the death of Breonna Taylor, a Black woman whose fatal shooting helped fuel racial justice protests that swept the nation in 2020. Adrian Sainz and Jonathan Mattise, Anchorage Daily News, 12 Sep. 2023 Less than two months later, he was charged following a federal investigation into his handling of classified documents (and what prosecutors say was a conspiracy to obstruct justice during the probe). Virginia Chamlee, Peoplemag, 12 Sep. 2023 In theory, eight of the justices could collectively decide to strip another justice of their vote in the most extreme circumstances. Matt Ford, The New Republic, 12 Sep. 2023 Those affected by disappearances and murders during Mr. Pinochet’s rule are still struggling for justice. Naomi Larsson Piñeda, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Sep. 2023 By tradition in Illinois, the outgoing Supreme Court justice selects their replacement, who then still must be approved by the full court. Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2023 That’s a particular challenge for health care and criminal justice agencies. Todd Feathers, WIRED, 11 Sep. 2023 Rescheduling will have a broad range of benefits, including signaling to the criminal justice system that cannabis is a lower priority and providing a crucial economic lifeline to the cannabis industry. CBS News, 31 Aug. 2023 Mildred Madison’s grandchildren have been active in several movements, including civil rights, Black Lives Matter, LGBTQ+ rights, Women’s March and environmental justice. Detroit Free Press, 31 Aug. 2023 See More

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 22 Sep. 2023.

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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