adjudicate

[uh-joo-di-keyt]

verb (used with object)

adjudicated, adjudicating 

1. to pronounce or decree by judicial sentence.

2. to settle or determine (an issue or dispute) judicially.

3. to act as judge of (a contest).

verb (used without object)

adjudicated, adjudicating 

1. to sit in judgment (usually followed byupon ).

adjudicate

/ əˈdʒuːdɪkətɪv, əˈdʒuːdɪˌkeɪt /

verb

1. to give a decision (on), esp a formal or binding one

2. (intr) to act as an adjudicator

3. (tr) chess to determine the likely result of (a game) by counting relative value of pieces, positional strength, etc

4. (intr) to serve as a judge or arbiter, as in a competition

Other Word Forms

• adjudicative adjective
• adjudicatory adjective
• adjudicator noun
• nonadjudicative adjective
• nonadjudicatively adverb
• readjudicate verb
• adjudication noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of adjudicate¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; from Latin adjūdicātus (past participle of adjūdicāre ); ad-, judge, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of adjudicate¹

C18: from Latin adjūdicāre to award something to someone, from ad- to + jūdicāre to act as a judge, from jūdex judge

Example Sentences

But since a legal immigrant once saw a doctor, the press is expected to bend over backwards to adjudicate whether one is a liar just because one is lying about 99% of the story.

From Salon

It will take several years for the case to be adjudicated.

From BBC

According to his attorney, Michael Goldstein, a court adjudicating the gun case granted Chávez a “mental health diversion,” which, in some cases, can lead to dismissal of criminal charges.

From Los Angeles Times

“A week is certainly not enough time for this court to adjudicate that a suspension of one week is de facto a termination,” Velchik said.

From Los Angeles Times

“Until defendants’ motion to dismiss the complaint is adjudicated, the parties agree not to engage in discovery,” the stipulation said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arbitrate