impartiality
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of impartiality
Explanation
Impartiality is a quality of not being biased in one direction or another. Submissions for a school writing contest might be anonymous, to ensure the judges' impartiality. Impartiality is important in legal proceedings, and jury members are screened to make sure they don't have a preconceived opinion that would sway their decision. If you're partial, you have a strong preference for someone or something — whether you're partial to chocolate ice cream or partial to cats. Impartiality, on the other hand, is a neutral, objective feeling. Your culinary impartiality makes you an ideal dining companion; you don't care whether you have Indian food or pizza.
Vocabulary lists containing impartiality
Astronauts
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The Time Machine
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"The Federalist No. 10," Vocabulary from the argument
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The United States will evaluate candidates based on "whether they meet this standard of trust and impartiality," she said, noting that Washington has its "own candidates in mind, if need be."
From Barron's • May 12, 2026
The agency previously prided itself on the program’s impartiality and, in an effort to protect its science from the influence of industry, purposefully kept the program separate from the agency offices that craft regulation.
From Salon • May 5, 2026
An FDA already struggling with credibility shouldn’t invite further doubts about judgment and impartiality.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026
A European Commission notice from 2021 defines a conflict of interest as a situation wherein a "financial actor's" impartiality is compromised "for reasons involving... economic interest or any other direct or indirect personal interest".
From Barron's • Mar. 12, 2026
And exercising judgement requires a specific set of virtues, the virtues you would hope to find in a jury of your peers: impartiality, assiduity, sincerity.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
