judiciary

[ joo-dish-ee-er-ee, -dish-uh-ree ]

noun

, plural ju·di·ci·ar·ies.

1. the judicial branch of government.
2. the system of courts of justice in a country.
3. judges collectively.

adjective

1. pertaining to the judicial branch or system or to judges.

judiciary

/ -ˈdɪʃərɪ; dʒuːˈdɪʃɪərɪ /

adjective

1. of or relating to courts of law, judgment, or judges

noun

1. the branch of the central authority in a state concerned with the administration of justice Compare executive legislature
2. the system of courts in a country
3. the judges collectively; bench

Other Words From

• ju·dici·ari·ly adverb
• subju·dici·ary adjective noun plural subjudiciaries

Word History and Origins

Origin of judiciary¹

First recorded in 1580–90; originally an adjective, from Latin jūdiciārius “of the law courts,” equivalent to jūdici(um) “judgment” + -ārius adjective suffix; judge, -ary

Example Sentences

Trump and his supporters have shown tremendous hostility to civic institutions — the judiciary, the media, universities, many nonprofits, some religious groups — that seek to define and enforce our obligations to one another.

From Salon

A spokesperson for the Iranian judiciary said the woman had been treated in hospital and returned to her family.

From BBC

Since then, the debate in Italy has become increasingly heated, with Meloni and other members of her government regularly attacking the country’s judiciary, until Musk also weighed in.

From BBC

But the relationship cooled in the final months of his presidency as the ambassador assailed plans to overhaul the judiciary that critics saw as a ruling-party power play.

From Los Angeles Times

They also face a more limited landscape of legal options, as the judiciary is more conservative because of judges Trump appointed in his first term.

From Los Angeles Times