jurist
Americannoun
noun
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a person versed in the science of law, esp Roman or civil law
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a writer on legal subjects
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a student or graduate of law
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(in the US) a lawyer
Etymology
Origin of jurist
1475–85; < French juriste < Medieval Latin jūrist ( a ). See jus, -ist
Explanation
A jurist is someone who is an expert in details of the legal system. Sometimes the word jurist is used to refer specifically to a lawyer or judge. If you love the law, you might want to be a jurist one day. If you become a jurist, you'll be a scholar who has studied the details and theories of law. You might work as a newspaper's legal expert or a college professor. In the U.S., it's common to refer to a judge or another legal professional as a jurist. So you might describe the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court as the top jurist in the country. Jurist comes from the Latin ius, "a right or a law."
Vocabulary lists containing jurist
This Week In Words: May 10–16, 2020
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jur, jus, List 2
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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.
It exists to be the muscle behind the velayat-e faqih, the guardianship of the jurist.
From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026
Born on April 19, 1939, in the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad, Khamenei was the second of eight children to Sayyed Javad Khamenei, a jurist, and Khadijeh Mirdamadi.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 28, 2026
An experienced jurist known for his unconventional approach to the job, the judge’s age is nonetheless raising questions about his ability to oversee a sprawling matter that could drag on for years.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 11, 2026
Former professional footballer Claude Makelele also withdrew as a jurist, citing "unforeseen personal reasons" in a statement on social media.
From Barron's • Nov. 21, 2025
Pater Aquillus is a jurist, and his library is filled with everything from obscure law books to ancient Scholar tomes on mathematics.
From "An Ember in the Ashes" by Sabaa Tahir
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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.