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

Will Trump exclusively select jurists who have flawless judicial records, are genuine full-spectrum conservatives, demonstrate an eagerness to overrule bad precedent, and have a conservative spouse and attend a theologically conservative house of worship? —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025

The judge was celebrated as an-almost Supreme Court jurist until a scandal wrecked that possibility. —Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 14 July 2024

The Florida jurist, who delivered several Trump-friendly rulings in the classified documents case, ordered the Department of Justice to keep the report sealed until an appeals court can assess objections to its release lodged by Trump and two co-defendants. —Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2025

An elder brother, Spiros Simitis, became a leading jurist specializing in data protection in Germany. —Alan Cowell, New York Times, 5 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

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