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
T. 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.
Recent Examples on the Web
The 8-1 decision limited the scope of a blockbuster ruling the justices handed down just two years ago.
—Andrew Torgan, CNN, 23 June 2024
Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American justice on the Supreme Court, said much the same thing 40 years earlier, in 1976.
—John Yoo, National Review, 23 June 2024
In a decision written by Thomas, the justices struck down New York’s century-old gun law on the idea that it was insufficiently rooted in history, setting aside its longevity and the long-standing debate over what exactly was intended by the original 1789 language of the amendment.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 22 June 2024
But the justices were not willing to rule that the 2nd Amendment protects the rights of dangerous people who have threatened others.
—David G. Savage, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for justice 
Andrew Torgan, CNN, 23 June 2024
Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American justice on the Supreme Court, said much the same thing 40 years earlier, in 1976.
—John Yoo, National Review, 23 June 2024
In a decision written by Thomas, the justices struck down New York’s century-old gun law on the idea that it was insufficiently rooted in history, setting aside its longevity and the long-standing debate over what exactly was intended by the original 1789 language of the amendment.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 22 June 2024
But the justices were not willing to rule that the 2nd Amendment protects the rights of dangerous people who have threatened others.
—David G. Savage, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for justice
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.
Dictionary Entries Near justice
Cite this Entry
“Justice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/justice. Accessed 27 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
justice
noun
jus·tice
ˈjəs-təs 
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
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)
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
G. R. Winters3
: 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
R. H. Bork Etymology
Old French, from Latin justitia, from justus just
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share