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

Example Sentences

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.

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Recent Examples on the Web

Whoever wins the April 4 election for a seat vacated by the retirement of a conservative justice will determine majority control of the court for at least the next two years, including leading up to the 2024 presidential election. —Scott Bauer, BostonGlobe.com, 21 Mar. 2023

Whoever wins the April 4 election for a seat vacated by the retirement of a conservative justice will determine majority control of the court for at least the next two years, including leading up to the 2024 presidential election. —Scott Bauer, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2023

In terms of the juvenile justice system, however, there is little indication of a growing crisis. —Jill Tucker, San Francisco Chronicle, 21 Mar. 2023

There’s a lot that’s imperfect about our justice system, God knows. —Michael Tomasky, The New Republic, 20 Mar. 2023

Skeptics and critics often cite the corruption of Haitian leaders in arguing that Haitians are not as worthy of restorative justice as other victims of mass atrocities. —Marlene L. Daut, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2023

But Ayman has few illusions about who the army was there to protect, or about his family’s chances of justice. —Loveday Morris, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2023

When her efforts earn the attention of a military official (Jorge A. Jimenez), Cielo, now sporting a bulletproof vest, bears witness to ruthless violence in the name of justice. —Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2023

The 6-episode series shot in both Swedish and English, and revolves around the justice system and death penalty. —Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 16 Mar. 2023

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

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

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Video

2018 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

How we chose 'justice'

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