judiciary

American  

[joo-dish-ee-er-ee, -dish-uh-ree] / dʒuˈdɪʃ iˌɛr i, -ˈdɪʃ ə ri /

noun

plural

judiciaries

1. the judicial branch of government.

2. the system of courts of justice in a country.

3. judges collectively.

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adjective

1. pertaining to the judicial branch or system or to judges.

judiciary British  

/ -ˈdɪʃərɪ, dʒuːˈdɪʃɪərɪ /

adjective

1. of or relating to courts of law, judgment, or judges

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noun

1. the branch of the central authority in a state concerned with the administration of justice Compare executive legislature

2. the system of courts in a country

3. the judges collectively; bench

Other Word Forms

• judiciarily adverb
• subjudiciary adjective

Etymology

Origin of judiciary

First recorded in 1580–90; originally an adjective, from Latin jūdiciārius “of the law courts,” equivalent to jūdici(um) “judgment” + -ārius adjective suffix; judge, -ary

Example Sentences

She said the judiciary had been exemplary in handling the case.

From Barron's

He concluded by affirming his allegiance to the Constitution and to the judiciary’s authority to say what the law is.

From Salon

The judiciary's Mizan news agency confirmed that Mohammadi was under arrest but added that "no final and enforceable sentence has been handed down to him".

From Barron's

Mulino "strongly" rejected the threat, and stressed his government "respects the decisions of the judiciary, which is independent of the central government."

From Barron's

Some hoped that Hong Kong’s judiciary might be the one institution to stop Hong Kong from being swallowed up by the Chinese system.

From The Wall Street Journal