Audiencia

American  

[aw-dee-en-see-uh, -chee-uh] / ˌɔ diˈɛn si ə, -tʃi ə /

noun

• Audiencias
  plural

1. Also, audiencia, historically, in monarchic Spain or its colonies, a court with legislative and executive as well as judicial functions, or the jurisdiction of such a court.

2. Also, audiencia, in modern Spain, the high court of an autonomous community or of a province, or the jurisdiction of such a court.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• Audiencias
  plural

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Audiencia Audiencias

The 2023 decision was appealed before Spain’s high court, known as Audiencia Nacional, and is pending judgment.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 25, 2026

Sidenor's chairman Jose Antonio Jainaga and two other executives are being investigated for alleged smuggling and complicity in crimes against humanity or genocide for selling steel to Israel Military Industries, the Audiencia Nacional court said.

From Barron's ● Oct. 24, 2025

The trial at the country's top criminal court, the Audiencia Nacional, focuses on three investigations into Mr Villarejo's activities and is expected to last until January.

From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2021

Last week the top criminal court, Audiencia Nacional, ordered police to close down Tsunami’s website, app, and social media channels—with little success.

From Slate ● Oct. 29, 2019

Theoretically, the Audiencia was a limit upon his authority; but in fact the governor was usually the president of this body, and the oidores were frequently his abettors and rarely his opponents.

From A History of the Philippines by David P. Barrows

Indeed, the Audiencias were singularly unfortunate in their proceedings, and their rule was almost always marked by a mistaken policy exaggerated by acts of cruelty and oppression.

From Mexico Its Ancient and Modern Civilisation, History, Political Conditions, Topography, Natural Resources, Industries and General Development by Martin Hume

In the great capital cities sat bodies of high judicial and executive officials known as Audiencias.

From The South American Republics Part I of II by Thomas C. Dawson

Judicial powers were accorded to the Alcaldes Mayors, to the Captains, Lieutenant Governors, Governors, Captains-General, Audiencias, in some cases to juntas, and even to naval officers.

From The History of Cuba, vol. 3 by Willis Fletcher Johnson

Early in the reign of the Spaniards in Cuba, courts called Audiencias with both judicial and administrative functions had been established.

From The History of Cuba, vol. 3 by Willis Fletcher Johnson

The principal courts of justice were the Audiencias reales, or Royal Audiences.

From Mexico, Aztec, Spanish and Republican Vol. 1 of 2 A Historical, Geographical, Political, Statistical and Social Account of That Country From the Period of the Invasion by the Spaniards to the Present Time; With a View of the Ancient Aztec Empire and Civilization; A Historical Sketch of the Late War; And Notices of New Mexico and California by Brantz Mayer