justice
1 Americannoun
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justice
plural
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the quality of being just; righteousness, equitableness, or moral rightness.
to uphold the justice of a cause.
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rightfulness or lawfulness, as of a claim or title; justness of ground or reason.
to complain with justice.
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the moral principle determining just conduct.
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conformity to this principle, as manifested in conduct; just conduct, dealing, or treatment.
Victims of rape and sexual assault have the right to the evidence they need to seek justice.
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just treatment of all members of society with regard to a specified public issue, including equitable distribution of resources and participation in decision-making (usually used in combination).
Environmental justice means that all people, regardless of race or income, have the right to a clean and healthy environment.
A group of moms in the Bridgeton area are advocating for health justice for those living around the landfills.
When we speak of climate justice, we demonstrate our sensitivity and resolve to secure the future of poor people from the perils of natural disasters.
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the administering of deserved punishment or reward.
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the maintenance or administration of what is just by law, as by judicial or other proceedings.
a court of justice.
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judgment of persons or causes by judicial process.
to administer justice in a community.
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a judge on a higher court, especially a Supreme Court.
the nine justices on the U.S. Supreme Court.
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a minor judicial officer or magistrate.
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Also called Justice Department. Justice. the Department of Justice.
idioms
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bring to justice, to cause to come before a court for trial or to receive punishment for one's misdeeds.
The murderer was brought to justice.
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do justice,
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to act or treat justly or fairly.
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to appreciate properly.
We must see this play again to do it justice.
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to acquit in accordance with one's abilities or potential.
He finally got a role in which he could do himself justice as an actor.
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noun
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Donald, 1925–2004, U.S. poet.
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a town in NE Illinois.
noun
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the quality or fact of being just
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ethics
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the principle of fairness that like cases should be treated alike
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a particular distribution of benefits and burdens fairly in accordance with a particular conception of what are to count as like cases
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the principle that punishment should be proportionate to the offence
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the administration of law according to prescribed and accepted principles
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conformity to the law; legal validity
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a judge of the Supreme Court of Judicature
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short for justice of the peace
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good reason (esp in the phrase with justice )
he was disgusted by their behaviour, and with justice
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to show to full advantage
the picture did justice to her beauty
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to show full appreciation of by action
he did justice to the meal
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to treat or judge fairly
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to make full use of one's abilities
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to capture, try, and usually punish (a criminal, an outlaw, etc)
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of justice
First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin jūstitia, equivalent to jūst(us) just 1 + -itia -ice
Explanation
Justice is the quality of being just or fair. Super heroes fight for justice because they want everything to be fair and not let bad guys win. Just ask Wonder Woman, Superman, or any other member of the Justice League. Justice is usually associated with the law. A judge is also known as a justice, and the point of the law is to keep everything in a society fair according to society’s rules. Justice (capital “J”) is also the statue of a blindfolded woman holding scales and a sword. If something is brought to justice, the good guys have been rewarded and the bad guys punished — the scales are even.
Vocabulary lists containing justice
Preamble to the U.S. Constitution (1787)
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Figurative Language in King's "I Have a Dream" Speech (1963)
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You Be the Judge: Jud, Jur, Jus
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
In a social media post, Waxman wrote that "victims need confidence that the justice process is fair and based on evidence, not myths and false assumptions about rape and trauma".
From BBC ● Nov. 7, 2026
The judge said Dunkley's confession was "to his credit" but the delay in bringing the case to justice had been caused by his lies.
From BBC ● Nov. 7, 2026
The collective Geef Tegengas, which campaigns for climate and justice, and the environmental group Fossielvrij entered the construction site in the Sloterdijk district, halting work for the day.
From Barron's ● Nov. 6, 2026
“I know we cannot execute people in our imperfect legal system and remain true to our core values, first among them justice and human decency.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 5, 2026
“Without regard to creed, color, birthplace, occupation, or social conditions. My aim is to do equal and exact justice among them all.”
From "Death on the River of Doubt" by Samantha Seiple
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Rewards for Justice, a State Department programme, was seeking information on topics including "facilities, equipment, and associated personnel, such as those in the scientific community," US Central Command said on X.
From Barron's ● Nov. 7, 2026
“At each stage of this election, and in response to the Department of Justice, we have been clear that state and federal law sets well-defined standards for verifying and challenging voter eligibility,” Logan said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 7, 2026
The phrases "One Nation Under God" and "Liberty and Justice for All" are inscribed in gold on either side of the structure.
From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2026
The Justice Department has argued that construction is permissible under federal law and that the arch serves an important national security purpose.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026
“We might as well just go back and think of something else tomorrow. Perhaps we can stop and see Justice Strauss.”
From "The Bad Beginning" by Lemony Snicket
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.