judiciary

noun

ju·​di·​cia·​ry jü-ˈdi-shē-ˌer-ē  -ˈdi-shə-rē 

1

a

: a system of courts of law

b

: the judges of these courts

2

: a branch of government in which judicial power is vested

judiciary adjective

Examples of judiciary in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There is a contentious fight in Mexico right now over constitutional reforms that would remake the judiciary. —Greg Dixon, NPR, 4 Sep. 2024

Kickstart Your Day with The Morning Jolt Maybe, just maybe, there isn’t a two-tier police or judiciary. —Abigail Anthony, National Review, 18 Aug. 2024

The police and military and judiciary, et cetera, were packed with Awami League people. —Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2024

Maduro exercises significant control over the government, including the parliament and the judiciary. —Ellen Ioanes, Vox, 29 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

judiciary, adjective, from Latin judiciarius judicial, from judicium

First Known Use

1623, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

judiciary

noun

ju·​di·​cia·​ry ju̇-ˈdish-ē-ˌer-ē  -ˈdish-ə-rē 

1

a

: a system of courts of law

b

: the judges of these courts

2

: a branch of government in which judicial power is vested

judiciary adjective

Legal Definition

judiciary

noun

ju·​di·​cia·​ry ju̇-ˈdi-shē-ˌer-ē, -ˈdi-shə-rē 

plural judiciaries

1

a

: a system of courts of law

b

: the judges of these courts

2

: a branch of government in which judicial power is vested compare executive, legislature

judiciary adjective