grand jury

noun

: a jury that examines accusations against persons charged with crime and if the evidence warrants makes formal charges (as by indictment)

grand juror noun

Examples of grand jury in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In Arizona, the state’s attorney general is appealing a ruling requiring the criminal case to be returned to a grand jury because prosecutors did not present key legal text. —Dan Mangan, CNBC, 4 May 2026

Officials said the grand jury found probable cause to believe that, over a six-year period, the pair engaged in significant misappropriation of taxpayer funds. —Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 4 May 2026

Olivia Henderson, 23, appeared in an Oswego County courtroom on Friday, May 1 after a grand jury voted to indict her, according to courtroom reporting by CNY Central and WSYR-TV. —Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 4 May 2026

But a grand jury did sign off on the case. —NBC news, 3 May 2026

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