adjudicate

[ uh-joo-di-keyt ]

verb (used with object)

adjudicated, adjudicating.

1. to pronounce or decree by judicial sentence.
2. to settle or determine (an issue or dispute) judicially.
3. to act as judge of (a contest).

verb (used without object)

adjudicated, adjudicating.

1. to sit in judgment (usually followed by upon ).

adjudicate

/ əˈdʒuːdɪkətɪv; əˈdʒuːdɪˌkeɪt /

verb

1. whenintr, usually foll by upon to give a decision (on), esp a formal or binding one
2. intr to act as an adjudicator
3. tr chess to determine the likely result of (a game) by counting relative value of pieces, positional strength, etc
4. intr to serve as a judge or arbiter, as in a competition

Derived Forms

• adjudicative, adjective
• adˌjudiˈcation, noun

Other Word Forms

• ad·ju·di·ca·tive [uh, -, joo, -di-key-tiv, ‑k, uh, -tiv], ad·ju·di·ca·to·ry [uh, -, joo, -di-k, uh, -tawr-ee], adjective
• ad·ju·di·ca·tor noun
• non·ad·ju·di·ca·tive adjective
• non·ad·ju·di·ca·tive·ly adverb
• re·ad·ju·di·cate verb readjudicated readjudicating

Word History and Origins

Origin of adjudicate¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; from Latin adjūdicātus (past participle of adjūdicāre ); ad-, judge, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of adjudicate¹

C18: from Latin adjūdicāre to award something to someone, from ad- to + jūdicāre to act as a judge, from jūdex judge

Example Sentences

“Preventing me from adjudicating my case is ‘cruel and unusual punishment.’”

From Los Angeles Times

WIlliams was, in the eyes of the adjudicating panel, a lone rogue agent.

From BBC

But that’s why, as principle, the First Amendment needs only 45 words to uncomplicate things and relieve the burden of adjudicating content parameters.

From Salon

“We look forward to adjudicating this matter in a public forum,” said Jeoffrey Robinson, attorney for the Wolffs, in a phone call with The Times.

From Los Angeles Times

The couple had been granted temporary protection from deportation while their claims for asylum were being adjudicated.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arbitrate