judgment

[juhj-muhnt]

noun

an act or instance of judging.

the ability to judge, make a decision, or form an opinion objectively, authoritatively, and wisely, especially in matters affecting action; good sense; discretion: a man of sound judgment.

the demonstration or exercise of such ability or capacity: The major was decorated for the judgment he showed under fire.

the forming of an opinion, estimate, notion, or conclusion, as from circumstances presented to the mind: Our judgment as to the cause of his failure must rest on the evidence.

the opinion formed: He regretted his hasty judgment.

Law.

a judicial decision given by a judge or court.
the obligation, especially a debt, arising from a judicial decision.
the certificate embodying such a decision and issued against the obligor, especially a debtor.

a misfortune regarded as inflicted by divine sentence, as for sin.

(usually initial capital letter) Also called Last Judgment, Final Judgment. the final trial of all people, both the living and dead, at the end of the world.

Also especially British, judge·ment.

Origin of judgment

1250–1300; Middle English jug(g)ement < Old French jugement, equivalent to juge- (stem of jugier to judge) + -ment -ment

Related formsin·ter·judg·ment, nounre·judg·ment, noun

Synonyms for judgment

1. determination. 2. discrimination, discernment, perspicacity; sagacity, wisdom, intelligence, prudence. 6a. verdict, decree.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for judgement

Contemporary Examples of judgement

“It would be a judgement call made based on their character at that moment,” he says.
People Are Using Instagram to Sell Their Guns...and It’s Mostly Legal
Brian Ries
October 22, 2013
But it's one thing to judge them, and another to impose your judgement coercively.
Should We Force Other Countries to Be Safe?
Megan McArdle
April 30, 2013
I know, it feels like we're riding an exciting wave away from the moral dark ages and into the bright, judgement free future.
Why Gay Marriage Will Win, and Sexual Freedom Will Lose
Megan McArdle
March 26, 2013
(And we wouldn't collect much if we did: most criminals are judgement proof).
Should Prosecutors Pay the Defense Costs of Anyone Who Secures a "Not Guilty" Verdict?
Megan McArdle
January 29, 2013
On the other hand, a $10 million judgement against Ford gets you $10 million.
Are Driverless Cars Really in Our Near Future?
Megan McArdle
January 24, 2013

Historical Examples of judgement

If any man call these things foolishness, his judgement is to me insignificant.
A Dish Of Orts
George MacDonald
His compassion was as genuine as his shrinking had been, and in his judgement more honourable.
Victory
Joseph Conrad
For has he not proposed a dispute, and submitted himself to everybody's judgement?
Erasmus and the Age of Reformation
Johan Huizinga
What could be keener or nobler or nicer than Linacre's judgement?
Erasmus and the Age of Reformation
Johan Huizinga
There is no judgement and no comment, but only the thing as it was.
The Legacy of Greece
Various

British Dictionary definitions for judgement

judgment

judgement

noun

the faculty of being able to make critical distinctions and achieve a balanced viewpoint; discernment

the decision or verdict pronounced by a court of law
an obligation arising as a result of such a decision or verdict, such as a debt
the document recording such a decision or verdict
(as modifier)a judgment debtor

the formal decision of one or more judges at a contest or competition

a particular decision or opinion formed in a case in dispute or doubt

an estimationa good judgment of distance

criticism or censure

logic

the act of establishing a relation between two or more terms, esp as an affirmation or denial
the expression of such a relation

against one's better judgment contrary to a more appropriate or preferred course of action

sit in judgment

to preside as judge
to assume the position of critic

in someone's judgment in someone's opinion

Judgment

noun

the estimate by God of the ultimate worthiness or unworthiness of the individual (the Particular Judgment) or of all mankind (the General Judgment or Last Judgment)

God's subsequent decision determining the final destinies of all individuals

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for judgement

see judgment. Related: Judgemental.

judgment

mid-13c., "action of trying at law, trial," also "capacity for making decisions," from Old French jugement "legal judgment; diagnosis; the Last Judgment" (11c.), from jugier (see judge (v.)). From late 13c. as "penalty imposed by a court;" early 14c. as "any authoritative decision, verdict." From c.1300 in referfence to the Last Judgment. Also from c.1300 as "opinion." Sense of "discernment" is first recorded 1530s.

Idioms and Phrases with judgement

judgment

see against one's better judgment; snap judgment.