justice

¹ American  

[juhs-tis] / ˈdʒʌs tɪs /

noun

1. the quality of being just; righteousness, equitableness, or moral rightness.

   to uphold the justice of a cause.

2. rightfulness or lawfulness, as of a claim or title; justness of ground or reason.

   to complain with justice.

3. the moral principle determining just conduct.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. the administering of deserved punishment or reward.

7. the maintenance or administration of what is just by law, as by judicial or other proceedings.

   a court of justice.

8. judgment of persons or causes by judicial process.

   to administer justice in a community.

9. a judge on a higher court, especially a Supreme Court.

   the nine justices on the U.S. Supreme Court.

10. a minor judicial officer or magistrate.

11. Also called Justice Department.  Justice. the Department of Justice.

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idioms

1. 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.

2. do justice,

   1. to act or treat justly or fairly.

   2. to appreciate properly.

      We must see this play again to do it justice.

   3. 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.

Justice ² American  

[juhs-tis] / ˈdʒʌs tɪs /

noun

1. Donald, 1925–2004, U.S. poet.

2. a town in NE Illinois.

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justice British  

/ ˈdʒʌstɪs /

noun

1. the quality or fact of being just

2. ethics

   1. the principle of fairness that like cases should be treated alike

   2. a particular distribution of benefits and burdens fairly in accordance with a particular conception of what are to count as like cases

   3. the principle that punishment should be proportionate to the offence

3. the administration of law according to prescribed and accepted principles

4. conformity to the law; legal validity

5. a judge of the Supreme Court of Judicature

6. short for justice of the peace

7. good reason (esp in the phrase with justice )

   he was disgusted by their behaviour, and with justice

8. 1. to show to full advantage

      the picture did justice to her beauty

   2. to show full appreciation of by action

      he did justice to the meal

   3. to treat or judge fairly

9. to make full use of one's abilities

10. to capture, try, and usually punish (a criminal, an outlaw, etc)

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Justice Cultural  

1. A figure in painting and sculpture that symbolizes the impartiality of true justice. The figure of Justice usually appears as a blindfolded woman with a scale in one hand and a sword in the other.

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justice More Idioms  

1. see do justice to; miscarriage of justice; poetic justice.

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Other Word Forms

• justiceless adjective

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

Example Sentences

“For over three years, Anna’s family and friends have waited for justice. Today the jury has spoken, returned its guilty verdict for first-degree murder against this sociopath and justice has arrived,” Los Angeles County Dist.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

During her installation as archbishop in late March, Dame Sarah similarly prayed for peace and justice to prevail in "all war-torn areas of the world".

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

The law would deal "serious punishment" to deter repeat offenders, Cambodian justice minister Koeut Rith told a news conference.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

The agency, and subsequently Bondi, faced bipartisan backlash, with lawmakers accusing the justice department of failing to obscure some identifying information about survivors while protecting the identities of those who were not victims.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

Which means I only have to bike over to the justice center and survive this panel thing, and this nightmare day will be over.

From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz

Related Words

• authority
• due process
• honesty
• integrity
• law
• right
• truth