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  • justice
    justice
    noun
    the quality of being just; righteousness, equitableness, or moral rightness.
  • Justice
    Justice
    noun
    Donald, 1925–2004, U.S. poet.
Synonyms

justice

1 American  
[juhs-tis] / ˈdʒʌs tɪs /

noun

justice plural
  1. the quality of being just; righteousness, equitableness, or moral rightness.

    to uphold the justice of a cause.

  2. rightfulness or lawfulness, as of a claim or title; justness of ground or reason.

    to complain with justice.

  3. the moral principle determining just conduct.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. the administering of deserved punishment or reward.

  7. the maintenance or administration of what is just by law, as by judicial or other proceedings.

    a court of justice.

  8. judgment of persons or causes by judicial process.

    to administer justice in a community.

  9. a judge on a higher court, especially a Supreme Court.

    the nine justices on the U.S. Supreme Court.

  10. a minor judicial officer or magistrate.

  11. Also called Justice DepartmentJustice. the Department of Justice.


idioms

  1. 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.

  2. do justice,

    1. to act or treat justly or fairly.

    2. to appreciate properly.

      We must see this play again to do it justice.

    3. 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.

Justice 2 American  
[juhs-tis] / ˈdʒʌs tɪs /

noun

  1. Donald, 1925–2004, U.S. poet.

  2. a town in NE Illinois.


justice British  
/ ˈdʒʌstɪs /

noun

  1. the quality or fact of being just

  2. ethics

    1. the principle of fairness that like cases should be treated alike

    2. a particular distribution of benefits and burdens fairly in accordance with a particular conception of what are to count as like cases

    3. the principle that punishment should be proportionate to the offence

  3. the administration of law according to prescribed and accepted principles

  4. conformity to the law; legal validity

  5. a judge of the Supreme Court of Judicature

  6. short for justice of the peace

  7. good reason (esp in the phrase with justice )

    he was disgusted by their behaviour, and with justice

    1. to show to full advantage

      the picture did justice to her beauty

    2. to show full appreciation of by action

      he did justice to the meal

    3. to treat or judge fairly

  8. to make full use of one's abilities

  9. to capture, try, and usually punish (a criminal, an outlaw, etc)

"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

Justice Cultural  
  1. 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.


justice More Idioms  

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Nouns

Etymology

Origin of justice

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin jūstitia, equivalent to jūst(us) just 1 + -itia -ice

Explanation

Justice is the quality of being just or fair. Super heroes fight for justice because they want everything to be fair and not let bad guys win. Just ask Wonder Woman, Superman, or any other member of the Justice League. Justice is usually associated with the law. A judge is also known as a justice, and the point of the law is to keep everything in a society fair according to society’s rules. Justice (capital “J”) is also the statue of a blindfolded woman holding scales and a sword. If something is brought to justice, the good guys have been rewarded and the bad guys punished — the scales are even.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing justice

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.

See Examples For:

"If we allow this to happen, no judge will be able to dispense justice," he said.

From BBC Jul. 12, 2026

Now, Orchid and other attorneys on the Chiquita Canyon case worry about the future of some of the most significant environmental justice litigation in Southern California.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 12, 2026

Throughout his career, Graham cultivated a reputation for his focus on issues like immigration reform, national security and criminal justice, including reaching across the aisle for more bipartisanship politics in his earlier years in office.

From Salon Jul. 12, 2026

Earlier this year, he marked his 20th anniversary as a justice.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 10, 2026

“I just made a few phone calls. You did the difficult work. I know you’re not familiar with it, but this is what justice feels like. This is what we’re all about.”

From "City Spies" by James Ponti

The Justice Department won a similar case in 2021 when it challenged the tie-up of book publishers Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 14, 2026

Speaking to Irish broadcaster RTÉ, external Irish Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan said: "No matter where you are, the gardaí will seek to pursue you."

From BBC Jul. 13, 2026

There was no immediate response from Trump or the Justice Department to a request for comment.

From Barron's Jul. 13, 2026

Earlier this year, East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice held an exhibition at Art Space Huntington Park called “We Are Water” to uplift local Indigenous artists.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 13, 2026

“Yes, Justice Strauss. Be creative. There’s no reason to stick to the legal ceremony. It’s not as if it’s a real wedding.”

From "The Bad Beginning" by Lemony Snicket

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