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justice

[ juhs-tis ]

/ ˈdʒʌs tɪs /

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noun

the quality of being just; righteousness, equitableness, or moral rightness: to uphold the justice of a cause.

rightfulness or lawfulness, as of a claim or title; justness of ground or reason: to complain with justice.

the moral principle determining just conduct.

conformity to this principle, as manifested in conduct; just conduct, dealing, or treatment: Victims of rape and sexual assault have the right to the evidence they need to seek justice.

just treatment of all members of society with regard to a specified public issue, including equitable distribution of resources and participation in decision-making (usually used in combination): Environmental justice means that all people, regardless of race or income, have the right to a clean and healthy environment.A group of moms in the Bridgeton area are advocating for health justice for those living around the landfills.When we speak of climate justice, we demonstrate our sensitivity and resolve to secure the future of poor people from the perils of natural disasters.

the administering of deserved punishment or reward.

the maintenance or administration of what is just by law, as by judicial or other proceedings: a court of justice.

judgment of persons or causes by judicial process: to administer justice in a community.

a judge on a higher court, especially a Supreme Court: the nine justices on the U.S. Supreme Court.

a minor judicial officer or magistrate.

Justice. Also called Justice Department . the Department of Justice.

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Idioms about justice

bring to justice, to cause to come before a court for trial or to receive punishment for one's misdeeds: The murderer was brought to justice.

do justice,

to act or treat justly or fairly.
to appreciate properly: We must see this play again to do it justice.
to acquit in accordance with one's abilities or potential: He finally got a role in which he could do himself justice as an actor.

Origin of justice

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin jūstitia, equivalent to jūst(us) just¹ + -itia -ice

OTHER WORDS FROM justice

jus·tice·less, adjective

Words nearby justice

justaucorps, just deserts, juste-milieu, just folks, just for the record, justice, justice court, justice of the peace, justice of the peace court, justicer, justice's court

Other definitions for justice (2 of 2)

Justice

[ juhs-tis ]

/ ˈdʒʌs tɪs /

noun

Donald, 1925–2004, U.S. poet.

a town in NE Illinois.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use justice in a sentence

She has been a teacher and helped found the Bronx School for Law, Government and Justice, where she stayed for 18 years and served as principal.
New York City schools chancellor to step down amid clashes with mayor|Valerie Strauss|February 26, 2021|Washington Post
Moreover, many of the nation’s civil rights and social justice groups are backing the bill.
Rep. Karen Bass Reintroduces George Floyd Policing Bill in Congress|Shani Parrish|February 26, 2021|Essence.com
So one reason this group is not likely to push for adding seats to the Supreme Court, even if the filibuster is gone, is that adding justices isn’t that popular an idea.
Democrats Are Split Over How Much The Party And American Democracy Itself Are In Danger|Perry Bacon Jr. (perry.bacon@fivethirtyeight.com)|February 26, 2021|FiveThirtyEight
Early in the pandemic, much of the criminal justice system — judges, defense attorneys, prosecutors — agreed with public health experts who viewed the confined quarters of jails as especially vulnerable to covid-19 outbreaks.
Teens drive brutal spike in carjackings with covid limiting school and supervision|Dan Morse, Tom Jackman|February 25, 2021|Washington Post

In 2013, the Moton Museum opened a permanent exhibit devoted to Johns, her peers and other residents of Prince Edward County who fought for justice, titled “Children of Courage.”
A civil rights hero lacked a historical marker. Then a class of Virginia fourth-graders spoke up.|Hannah Natanson|February 24, 2021|Washington Post
So we do demand justice and we do speak up and make demands.
Mexico’s Priests Are Marked for Murder|Jason McGahan|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
He could order the Justice Department to begin the necessary regulatory work.
Obama’s Pot Policy Is Refer Madness|James Poulos|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The mother, Emily Kruse, was charged with obstructing justice and intimidating a witness.
Judge: Rehoming Kids Is Trafficking|Tina Traster|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Most other social justice movements are seeking some shift of power and money.
The Real Story Behind the Fight for Marriage Equality|E.J. Graff|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I suffer from no delusion that the justice system treats black and white equally.
Bill de Blasio’s Tea Party Problem|Will Cain|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
To others the fierce desire for social justice obliterates all fear of a general catastrophe.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock
When I was at Portugal, there was held at that time the court of justice of the Inquisition.
The Life and Most Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner (1801)|Daniel Defoe
I've never had time to write home about it, for I felt that it required a dissertation in itself to do it justice.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
He also states that the Audiencia is virtually non-existent, and so there is no high court in which justice may be sought.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various
He had meted out stern justice to his own son, when he had banished big Reginald to South America; but he had his virtues.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills

British Dictionary definitions for justice

justice

/ (ˈdʒʌstɪs) /

noun

the quality or fact of being just

ethics

the principle of fairness that like cases should be treated alike
a particular distribution of benefits and burdens fairly in accordance with a particular conception of what are to count as like cases
the principle that punishment should be proportionate to the offence

the administration of law according to prescribed and accepted principles

conformity to the law; legal validity

a judge of the Supreme Court of Judicature

short for justice of the peace

good reason (esp in the phrase with justice)he was disgusted by their behaviour, and with justice

do justice to

to show to full advantagethe picture did justice to her beauty
to show full appreciation of by actionhe did justice to the meal
to treat or judge fairly

do oneself justice to make full use of one's abilities

bring to justice to capture, try, and usually punish (a criminal, an outlaw, etc)

Word Origin for justice

C12: from Old French, from Latin jūstitia, from justus just

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

Cultural definitions for justice

Justice

A figure in painting and sculpture that symbolizes the impartiality of true justice. The figure of Justice usually appears as a blindfolded woman with a scale in one hand and a sword in the other.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Other Idioms and Phrases with justice

justice

see do justice to; miscarriage of justice; poetic justice.

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