judgment

[ juhj-muhnt ]

/ ˈdʒʌdʒ mənt /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR judgment ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

Nearby words

judge-made, judges, judges' rules, judgeship, judgmatic, judgment, judgment book, judgment call, judgment day, judgment debt, judgment note

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

SYNONYMS FOR judgment

1 determination.

2 discrimination, discernment, perspicacity; sagacity, wisdom, intelligence, prudence.

6a verdict, decree.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR judgment ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

in·ter·judg·ment, nounre·judg·ment, noun

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

Examples from the Web for judgment

Interesting that those who sat in judgment of him found those two sets of beliefs to be incompatible.
In Defense of Blasphemy|Michael Tomasky|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
[These actions] call into question not only their judgment but how true the effort is to expanding into those communities.
GOP Boss Gets Help From ‘White Hate’ Pal|Tim Mak|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We have reached a tipping point in the culture where Americans are now trained to look to the rules instead of their own judgment.
Red Tape Is Strangling Good Samaritans|Philip K. Howard|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In short, the existing data makes fracking seem like a judgment call.
New York’s Conservative Fracking Ban|Jay Michaelson|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Taken to its logical conclusion, the “not me” judgment can lead us to regard other human beings as not human at all!
Ferguson, Immigration, and ‘Us Vs. Them’|Gene Robinson|November 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The superstitious natives supposed the drought was sent upon them as a judgment, because myself and Lay were allowed to live.
A Narrative of the Mutiny, on Board the Ship Globe, of Nantucket, in the Pacific Ocean, Jan. 1824|William Lay
I have no doubt he feels the responsibility which he assumes, and I have great faith in his judgment.
The Last Cruise of the Saginaw|George H. Read
Fortunately, Victoria was quite prepared to accept in this matter Albert's judgment.
Abraham Lincoln|George Haven Putnam
It is an expression of the character, the nicety of taste—or lack of it—the discrimination and judgment of the individual.
Handicraft for Girls|Idabelle McGlauflin
Her zeal is certainly getting the better of her conscience and judgment.
The House that Jill Built|E. C. Gardner

British Dictionary definitions for judgment (1 of 2)

judgment

judgement

/ (ˈdʒʌdʒmənt) /

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

British Dictionary definitions for judgment (2 of 2)

Judgment

/ (ˈdʒʌdʒmənt) /

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

Idioms and Phrases with judgment

judgment

see against one's better judgment; snap judgment.