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Synonyms

jurisprudence

American  
[joor-is-prood-ns, joor-is-prood-] / ˌdʒʊər ɪsˈprud ns, ˈdʒʊər ɪsˌprud- /

noun

  1. the science or philosophy of law.

  2. a body or system of laws.

  3. a department of law.

    medical jurisprudence.

  4. Civil Law. decisions of courts, especially of reviewing tribunals.

jurisprudence British  
/ ˌdʒʊərɪspruːˈdɛnʃəl, ˌdʒʊərɪsˈpruːdəns /

noun

  1. the science or philosophy of law

  2. a system or body of law

  3. a branch of law

    medical jurisprudence
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
jurisprudence Cultural  

  1. The philosophy of law. Jurisprudence implies creating a body of law and methods for interpreting the law, studying the relationships between law and society, and predicting the effects of legal decisions. In the United States, lawmakers, attorneys, scholars, and courts all take an active role in guiding jurisprudence.

Other Word Forms

  • jurisprudential adjective
  • jurisprudentially adverb

Etymology

Origin of jurisprudence

First recorded in 1620–30; from Late Latin jūrisprūdentia, jūris prūdentia “knowledge of the law” and used in the emperor Justinian’s law codes, published between a.d. 529 and 534. See jus, prudence

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In the new world of capital jurisprudence, however, nothing is simple, even when it could help determine the guilt or innocence of someone who faces execution.

From Slate • Mar. 27, 2026

He studied Islamic jurisprudence under several high-ranking clerics, including Khamenei, and held various senior posts in the ministry of intelligence and Office of the Supreme Leader.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

Alireza Arafi, whose name has also come up as a potential successor, attained the rank of an ayatollah, or mujtahid, after publishing over 20 books and articles on Islamic jurisprudence and philosophy.

From Salon • Mar. 6, 2026

Though he agreed with Black’s definition of rebellion, Segall rejected the idea it could shape jurisprudence: “That’s not how our legal system works,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 30, 2025

Such critics also pointed out that, thanks to the commercialization of Everest, the once hallowed peak has now even been dragged into the swamp of American jurisprudence.

From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.