judicial

[joo-dish-uhl]

adjective

1. pertaining to judgment in courts of justice or to the administration of justice.

   judicial proceedings; the judicial system.

   Synonyms: juridical

2. pertaining to courts of law or to judges; judiciary.

   judicial functions.

   Synonyms: forensic, juridical

3. of or relating to a judge; proper to the character of a judge; judgelike.

   judicial gravity.

4. inclined to make or give judgments; critical; discriminating.

   a judicial mind.

5. decreed, sanctioned, or enforced by a court.

   a judicial decision.

6. giving or seeking judgment, as in a dispute or contest; determinative.

   a judicial duel over lands.

7. inflicted by God as a judgment or punishment.

judicial

/ dʒuːˈdɪʃəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to the administration of justice

2. of or relating to judgment in a court of law or to a judge exercising this function

3. inclined to pass judgment; discriminating

4. allowed or enforced by a court of law

   a decree of judicial separation

5. having qualities appropriate to a judge

6. giving or seeking judgment, esp determining or seeking determination of a contested issue

Other Word Forms

• judicially adverb
• judicialness noun
• nonjudicial adjective
• nonjudicially adverb
• semijudicial adjective
• semijudicially adverb
• subjudicial adjective
• subjudicially adverb
• superjudicial adjective
• superjudicially adverb
• unjudicial adjective
• unjudicially adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of judicial¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin jūdiciālis of the law courts, equivalent to jūdici ( um ) judgment ( judge, -ium ) + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of judicial¹

C14: from Latin jūdiciālis belonging to the law courts, from jūdicium judgment, from jūdex a judge

Synonym Study

See judicious.

Example Sentences

He has denied the criminal allegations and said he has "great confidence in the federal judicial system".

From BBC

“We are confident that the claims we have filed are valid and will withstand judicial scrutiny.”

From Los Angeles Times

McOsker’s office said the RV park’s permitting will “be most likely resolved through judicial and administrative determinations both at the court and at the city.”

From Los Angeles Times

The judicial finding prevents the government from returning a person to their country because of the risk of serious harm.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr Mathur says that deeper judicial reforms - like a "uniform policy for hearing and disposing of cases" - are essential, rather than leaving it to individual judges.

From BBC

When To Use

What does judicial mean?

Judicial describes something related to courts of law or judges. For example, a judicial review refers to a court reviewing the action of an administrative, legislative, or executive branch of government.Broadly, judicial can refer to any part of the legal process, but it often relates directly to a judge and their practices. Judges make judicial decisions, and any court process that involves the judge making a decision is referred to as judicial.Judicial can also be used to describe something or someone as critical or discriminating or inclined to making judgments. If you look carefully at both sides of an argument before making a serious decision, you could be described as being judicial in your decision-making.Example: The judicial branch of government evaluates and upholds the law.