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.

---

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

---

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; see judge, -ary

Explanation

The courts and the people who run them — particularly judges — make up the judiciary. Get caught painting graffiti on the courthouse? You just might find yourself facing the judiciary. Another way to say judiciary is "judicial system." It's where you go with a legal dispute, whether you're divorcing someone, suing someone, or accusing someone of a crime. The Latin root is judicium, or "judgment," which is exactly the job of the judiciary: to sit in judgment of people by interpreting the law and then applying it.

Example Sentences

But on 30 April, the head of Iran's judiciary, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, dismissed international criticism of death sentences linked to January's unrest, saying that his courts would not be swayed.

From BBC • May 17, 2026

We’re in uncharted territory, and Judges Lasnik and Fogel are bravely opening up about what this volatility means for an independent judiciary, and what we should do about it.

From Slate • May 9, 2026

In 2024, the judiciary commuted Zanjani’s death sentence to 20 years in prison, saying he had cooperated in returning the assets he owed.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026

Meanwhile, the Iranian authorities executed two men on Saturday convicted of spying for Israel, the judiciary said, the latest in a string of executions in recent weeks.

From Barron's • May 2, 2026

They had judiciary powers, and could act as judges in both the religious and secular courts.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss