grand jury

noun

: a jury that examines accusations against persons charged with crime and if the evidence warrants makes formal charges on which the accused persons are later tried

grand juror noun

Examples of grand jury in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But a grand jury investigation revealed more details about the attack that previously were not available to detectives, officials said. —Sheetal Banchariya, New York Daily News, 18 June 2025

In 2018, a Pennsylvania grand jury investigation of six dioceses found more than 1,000 children had been abused by more than 300 priests and that bishops had covered it up. —Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 18 June 2025

The grand jury indictment means the criminal case against the Rakelas skips the preliminary hearing phase to determine whether there’s sufficient evidence, moving the case straight to trial. —Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 16 June 2025

In 1965, Giancana was subpoenaed by a federal grand jury. —Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for grand jury

• buri
• fury

Kids Definition

grand jury

noun

: a jury that chiefly examines accusations of crime made against persons and if the evidence warrants makes formal charges on which the accused persons are later tried

Legal Definition

grand jury

noun

: a jury that examines accusations against persons charged with crime and if the evidence warrants makes formal charges on which the accused persons are later tried see also no bill and true bill at bill sense 3b, indictment compare petit jury, special grand jury