juror

American  

[joor-er, -awr] / ˈdʒʊər ər, -ɔr /

noun

1. one of a group of persons sworn to deliver a verdict in a case submitted to them; member of a jury.

2. one of the panel from which a jury is selected.

3. one of a group of people who judge a competition.

4. a person who has taken an oath or sworn allegiance.

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juror British  

/ ˈdʒʊərə /

noun

1. a member of a jury

2. a person whose name is included on a panel from which a jury is selected

3. a person who takes an oath

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Etymology

Origin of juror

1250–1300; Middle English jurour < Anglo-French (compare Old French jureur ), equivalent to Old French jur ( er ) to swear (< Latin jūrāre ) + -our -or ²

Explanation

Anyone who's a member of a jury in a court of law is called a juror. When you serve as a juror, you're part of a group that hears evidence in a trial and gives a verdict. When someone gets called for jury duty, it's an opportunity to be a juror for a trial. A juror is typically one of twelve people who swear to make an impartial, unbiased decision based on legal evidence. The jurors must come to a unanimous agreement about their verdict after all evidence is presented, generally either "guilty" or "not guilty." The Latin root is iuratorem, or "swearer," from iurare, "to swear."

Example Sentences

Have you got any kids? 8TH JUROR: TWO. 3RD JUROR: Yeah, well I’ve got one.

From "Twelve Angry Men" by Reginald Rose

You’re wastin’ your time. 8TH JUROR: Suppose you were the one on trial? 6TH JUROR: I’m not used to supposing.

From "Twelve Angry Men" by Reginald Rose

Say, are you on the Exchange or something? 4TH JUROR: I’m a broker. 3RD JUROR: Really?

From "Twelve Angry Men" by Reginald Rose

Anything new going on? 4TH JUROR: I was just wondering how the market closed. 3RD JUROR: I wouldn’t know.

From "Twelve Angry Men" by Reginald Rose

We’re letting him slip through our fingers here. 8TH JUROR: Slip through our fingers?

From "Twelve Angry Men" by Reginald Rose