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

Eager to extend the Warren Court’s liberal jurisprudence and fearful that his Great Society might suffer the fate of Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal initiatives at the hands of conservative jurists, Johnson resolved to maintain the institution’s ideological bent. —Michael Bobelian, TIME, 7 Oct. 2024

The Trump-Pence administration emphasized the selection of very conservative jurists with deep ties to the conservative legal movement. —Paul M. Collins Jr., The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2024

As a trio of jurists explained in a paper earlier this year, such a move could in theory be challenged by the attorney general of Delaware, where OpenAI is domiciled. —Felix Salmon, Axios, 27 Sep. 2024

Smartmatic’s suit will be tried before Judge Eric M. Davis, the same jurist who heard Dominion’s case against Fox News. —Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2024

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