jurist

noun

ju·​rist ˈju̇r-ist 

: one having a thorough knowledge of law

especially : judge

Synonyms

• adjudicator
• beak [chiefly British]
• bench
• court
• judge
• justice
• magistrate

Examples of jurist in a Sentence

earned a reputation as one of the most learned jurists in the federal courts

Recent Examples on the Web

Another chapter on the Claremont Institute, the right-wing California think tank, examines the influence of the political philosopher Leo Strauss and the Nazi jurist Carl Schmitt. —Jennifer Szalai, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025

The suggestion that Democrats were taking cues from that infamous Nazi jurist was pure projection — a sign, in retrospect, of how Vance himself would behave in office. —Michelle Goldberg, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025

So Edgardo set about knocking on doors, spending years meeting lawyers, jurists and presidents, joining a wider movement by campaigners to change the law. —Betiana Fernández Martino, CNN, 1 Feb. 2025

The Supreme Court’s majority said lower courts must now ask whether a fair-minded jurist could disagree with Andrew. —Ella Lee, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle French juriste, from Medieval Latin jurista, from Latin jur-, jus

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for jurist

• purest
• purist
• surest
• tourist

Kids Definition

jurist

noun

ju·​rist ˈju̇(ə)r-əst 

: one (as a lawyer or judge) having a thorough knowledge of law

Legal Definition

jurist

noun

ju·​rist ˈju̇r-ist 

: an individual having a thorough knowledge of law

especially : judge

the state's top jurist violated the U.S. Constitution when he banned the filming

—National Law Journal

Etymology

Middle French juriste, from Medieval Latin jurista, from Latin jur-, jus law