judicial review

American  

[joo-dish-uhl ri-vyoo] / dʒuˈdɪʃ əl rɪˈvju /

noun

1. the power of a court to adjudicate the constitutionality of the laws of a government or the acts of a government official.

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judicial review Cultural  

1. The principle by which courts can declare acts of either the executive branch or the legislative branch unconstitutional. The Supreme Court has exercised this power, for example, to revoke state laws that denied civil rights guaranteed by the Constitution. (See also checks and balances.)

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Etymology

Origin of judicial review

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

There has to be a real reason, it has to be subject to some sort of judicial review, and the accused has to be given some opportunity at least to respond to the charges.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 29, 2026

It held that the entire process is immune from judicial review.

From Slate • Jun. 25, 2026

Both Cagne and Barclay challenged the government's planning decision via judicial review.

From BBC • Jun. 23, 2026

But the Clement filing is genuinely consequential, and not just because it might disarm Carr’s primary regulatory weapon if it survives judicial review.

From Salon • May 13, 2026

But in 1790 the Supreme Court was a woefully weak third branch of the federal government and the principle of judicial review had yet to be established.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis