justice

noun

jus·​tice ˈjə-stəs 

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

Synonyms

• equity
• fair shake
• right

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

Currently, the court has three liberal-leaning justices, two conservative-leaning justices, and two swing voters. —USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024

Spending Tory spending plans implied £19 billion of real-terms cuts in 2028-29 for unprotected departments like justice and transport. —Samuel Burke, Fortune Europe, 29 Oct. 2024

Activities will include public forums on equitable economic development and research initiatives focused on zoning reforms, transportation justice and other issues affecting marginalized communities. —La Risa R. Lynch, Journal Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2024

In Scotland, some of these powers include education, health, justice, housing and transport policy. —Frey Lindsay, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French justise, from Latin justitia, from justus — see just entry 1

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing justice

• chief justice
• do justice
• do justice to
• fugitive from justice
• justice is served/done
• justice of the peace
• miscarriage of justice
• pervert justice
• pervert the course of justice
• poetic justice

Kids Definition

justice

noun

jus·​tice ˈjəs-təs 

1

: just conduct, management, or treatment

do justice to a book

2

a

: judge entry 2 sense 1

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)

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

3

: 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

Etymology

Old French, from Latin justitia, from justus just