per curiam
adverb or adjective
per cu·ri·am
(ˌ)pər-ˈkyu̇r-ē-ˌäm 
-ˈku̇r-
: by the court as a whole rather than by a single justice and usually without extended discussion
a per curiam decision
Examples of per curiam in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The full opinions and other court proceedings, including per curiam decisions, orders and submissions, can be found on the internet at arcourts.gov.
CHIEF JUSTICE KAREN R. BAKER
D-16-301.
—
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 29 May 2025
Alito dissented from the per curiam opinion (meaning the opinion was issued from the court as a whole rather than a particular justice as the author), with only Thomas joining him in dissent.
—Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025
Why both sides are claiming victory The complexity of the court’s per curiam opinion – an unsigned opinion of a majority of the court – allows the Trump administration and the ACLU to view the ruling in Trump v. J.G.G. from different perspectives.
—Paul M. Collins Jr., The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2025
The unsigned per curiam opinion said a federal district court in Washington lacks the jurisdiction to address the matter, lifting a temporary restraining order issued by U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for per curiam
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The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 29 May 2025
Alito dissented from the per curiam opinion (meaning the opinion was issued from the court as a whole rather than a particular justice as the author), with only Thomas joining him in dissent.
—Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025
Why both sides are claiming victory The complexity of the court’s per curiam opinion – an unsigned opinion of a majority of the court – allows the Trump administration and the ACLU to view the ruling in Trump v. J.G.G. from different perspectives.
—Paul M. Collins Jr., The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2025
The unsigned per curiam opinion said a federal district court in Washington lacks the jurisdiction to address the matter, lifting a temporary restraining order issued by U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for per curiam
Cite this Entry
“Per curiam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/per%20curiam. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
per curiam
adverb or adjective
per cu·ri·am
pər-ˈkyu̇r-ē-ˌäm, -ˈku̇r-, -əm
: by the court as a whole rather than by a single justice and usually without extended discussion
a per curiam affirmance
Etymology
Latin, by the court
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