adjudication

American  

[uh-joo-di-key-shuhn] / əˌdʒu dɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. an act of adjudicating.

2. Law.

   1. the act of a court in making an order, judgment, or decree.

   2. a judicial decision or sentence.

   3. a court decree in bankruptcy.

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Other Word Forms

• nonadjudication noun
• readjudication noun

Etymology

Origin of adjudication

First recorded in 1685–95, adjudication is from the Late Latin word adjūdicātiōn- (stem of adjūdicātiō ). See adjudicate, -ion

Example Sentences

"This case assumes considerable institutional concern, not because of the decision that was taken on the merits of the case, but about the process of adjudication and determination," the top court said.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026

The Tesla case also subtly revealed how certain corporate-governance ideas long debated in academic circles but rarely used in practice have begun to influence the Delaware courts’ adjudication.

From Barron's • Jan. 14, 2026

That has never been part of our system of adjudication and litigation.

From Slate • Dec. 17, 2025

The vast majority were given notices to appear in U.S. immigration courts for adjudication of their cases.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 20, 2025

So the dispute between Reinier de Graaf and Jan Swammerdam over the discovery of the egg within the ovary, which began in 1672, was referred to the Royal Society in London for adjudication.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton