judiciary

[joo-dish-ee-er-ee, -dish-uh-ree]

noun

plural

judiciaries 

1. the judicial branch of government.

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

3. judges collectively.

adjective

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

judiciary

/ -ˈdɪʃərɪ, dʒuːˈdɪʃɪərɪ /

adjective

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of judiciary¹

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

He faces several key Supreme Court decisions later this year that could effectively decide the extent of executive power against Congress and the judiciary.

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But justices typically hadn’t engaged in these types of discussions for fear of tarnishing the judiciary’s independence.

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In three years in office, Meloni and her ministers have repeatedly taken aim at the judiciary for decisions they assert are political.

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PARIS—French courts have delivered one shock ruling after another this year, testing the balance of power between the country’s fiercely independent judiciary and its political leadership.

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The government has responded by banning demonstrations and the judiciary has sentenced several dozen people to three years in prison for disturbing the peace.

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