grand jury

American  

noun

1. a jury, at common law, of 12 to 23 persons, designated to inquire into alleged violations of the law in order to ascertain whether the evidence is sufficient to warrant trial.

---

grand jury British  

noun

1. law (esp in the US and, now rarely, in Canada) a jury of between 12 and 23 persons summoned to inquire into accusations of crime and ascertain whether the evidence is adequate to found an indictment. Abolished in Britain in 1948 Compare petit jury

---

grand jury Cultural  

1. A jury that decides whether the evidence warrants bringing an accused person to trial. Once indicted (see indictment) by a grand jury, a person must stand trial.

---

Etymology

Origin of grand jury

First recorded in 1490–1500, grand jury is from Anglo-French graund juree

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

grand jury

They also said the requests for phone records “demonstrate abuse of the grand jury process, continued bad-faith attacks on the journalists” and violate Justice Department regulations.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026

The newspaper had challenged the government requests for phone records of reporters and grand jury testimony as an attempt to "intimidate" the press and filed a motion to have them quashed.

From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026

Police in Texas investigated Lucy's death as possible manslaughter but a grand jury in Collin County decided against indicting her father.

From BBC ● Jul. 16, 2026

In light of the clashes, the civil grand jury supported the commission’s push to look for outside representation to enforce its role.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026

Ms. Ofrah arranged for me to do an interview with one of the national news programs today—exactly a week before I testify before the grand jury next Monday.

From "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas