judicial branch

American  

[joo-dish-uhl branch] / dʒuˈdɪʃ əl ˌbræntʃ /

noun

• judicial branches
  plural

1. the branch of government charged with the interpretation of laws and the administration of justice; the judiciary.

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judicial branch Cultural  

1. The court systems of local, state, and federal governments, responsible for interpreting the laws passed by the legislative branch and enforced by the executive branch. These courts try criminal cases (in which a law may have been violated) or civil cases (disputes between parties over rights or responsibilities). The courts attempt to resolve conflicts impartially in order to protect the individual rights guaranteed by the Constitution, within the bounds of justice, as defined by the entire body of U.S. law. Some courts try only original cases, whereas others act as courts of appeals. The ultimate court of appeals is the Supreme Court. On the federal level, the system of checks and balances empowers Congress to create federal courts, and all federal judges must be appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. The courts may exercise the powers of judicial review and injunction.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• judicial branches
  plural

Etymology

Origin of judicial branch

First recorded in 1780–90

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

judicial branch

Trump admitted it was rare for the US president, who heads the executive branch of the US government, to criticize the Supreme Court, which heads the judicial branch.

From Barron's ● Sep. 15, 2026

Here's a look at the three biggest takeaways from an eventful Monday morning for America's judicial branch.

From BBC ● Jun. 29, 2026

In California, nearly half of active court reporter licenses were issued at least 30 years ago, the state’s judicial branch says.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 13, 2026

But they are not reviewed by anyone in the judicial branch.

From Salon ● Jan. 27, 2026

The judicial branch of the government, like the others, has been in great measure reorganized.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 6 "Cockaigne" to "Columbus, Christopher" by Various