International Court of Justice

American  

noun

1. the chief judicial agency of the United Nations, established in 1945 to decide disputes arising between nations.

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International Court of Justice British  

noun

1. Also called: World Court.  a court established in the Hague to settle disputes brought by nations that are parties to the Statute of the Court

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International Court of Justice Cultural  

1. A division of the United Nations that settles legal disputes submitted to it by member nations. The International Court of Justice, also called the World Court, meets in The Hague, The Netherlands.

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Etymology

Origin of International Court of Justice

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

In 2019, the International Court of Justice reached a nonbinding decision that the U.K. should give up sovereignty.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026

The International Court of Justice granted Phnom Penh sovereignty over one of the most coveted temples in 1962 and a small patch of land around it in 2013, but Thailand does not recognise its jurisdiction.

From Barron's • Oct. 26, 2025

Judges at the International Court of Justice in The Hague have been asked for an "advisory opinion" laying out Israel's duty to facilitate aid in Gaza.

From Barron's • Oct. 22, 2025

An official declaration has been referred to the International Court of Justice, with some experts predicting a decision in late 2027 or early 2028.

From Salon • Jul. 29, 2025

Measures toward this end will be proposed later, including a re-examination of our own relation to the International Court of Justice.

From State of the Union Address by Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David)