judging

American  

[juhj-ing] / ˈdʒʌdʒ ɪŋ /

adjective

1. rendering an authoritative decision, as in a legal case, contest, dispute, or the like.

   He received the highest praise on his cooking contest entry from the judging chefs in their feedback.

2. hearing evidence or arguments in a case in order to render a decision.

   The appeal and second appeal will last approximately one year each, depending on the judging court and the evidence.

3. evaluating, assessing, or forming a critical opinion of someone or something.

   We think all rightly judging readers will reject such an unlikely interpretation.

4. making or expressing a negative assessment of someone or something; condemning.

   I’d refrain from using judging words like "slob" and "ungracious," as those will lead to defensiveness and hurt feelings.

5. making a careful guess or estimate.

   It’s hard to reckon one’s distance from something when the judging eye is under water and the target is in the air.

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noun

1. the act of rendering an authoritative decision, forming an estimate or critical opinion, or making or expressing a negative assessment of someone or something.

   The highlight of the evening was the judging of the Best in Red competition.

   I’m tired of the constant judging and critiquing by others.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• unjudging
  adjective
• judgingly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of judging

First recorded in 1325–75; judg(e) ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; judg(e) ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun sense

Example Sentences

There’s no need for Wall Street to worry about the artificial-intelligence trade fizzling out, judging by the stocks rising on Tuesday.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

I was judging myself more harshly than anyone else was, and it cost me income and experience, as well as skills that money alone can’t buy.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 2, 2026

"It's a captivating, slyly sophisticated novel," said Natasha Brown, the chair of the judging panel.

From BBC • May 19, 2026

I’m not judging myself in the same way that I used to.

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026

He took a large bite of hash brown to avoid having to say more, because judging from the look on her face, it hadn’t been the right thing to say at all.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny