judgment

[ juhj-muhnt ]

noun

1. an act or instance of judging.

   Synonyms: determination

2. the ability to judge, make a decision, or form an opinion objectively, authoritatively, and wisely, especially in matters affecting action; good sense; discretion:

   a man of sound judgment.

   Synonyms: prudence, intelligence, wisdom, sagacity, perspicacity, discernment, discrimination

3. the demonstration or exercise of such ability or capacity:

   The major was decorated for the judgment he showed under fire.

4. the forming of an opinion, estimate, notion, or conclusion, as from circumstances presented to the mind:

   Our judgment as to the cause of his failure must rest on the evidence.

5. the opinion formed:

   He regretted his hasty judgment.

6. Law.
   1. a judicial decision given by a judge or court.
   2. the obligation, especially a debt, arising from a judicial decision.
   3. the certificate embodying such a decision and issued against the obligor, especially a debtor.
7. a misfortune regarded as inflicted by divine sentence, as for sin.
8. Judgment. Theology. Last Judgment ( def ).

Judgment

¹

/ ˈdʒʌdʒmənt /

noun

1. the estimate by God of the ultimate worthiness or unworthiness of the individual (the Particular Judgment ) or of all mankind (the General Judgment or Last Judgment )
2. God's subsequent decision determining the final destinies of all individuals

judgment

²

/ ˈdʒʌdʒmənt /

noun

1. the faculty of being able to make critical distinctions and achieve a balanced viewpoint; discernment
2. 1. the decision or verdict pronounced by a court of law
   2. an obligation arising as a result of such a decision or verdict, such as a debt
   3. the document recording such a decision or verdict
   4. ( as modifier )

      a judgment debtor

3. the formal decision of one or more judges at a contest or competition
4. a particular decision or opinion formed in a case in dispute or doubt
5. an estimation

   a good judgment of distance

6. criticism or censure
7. logic
   1. the act of establishing a relation between two or more terms, esp as an affirmation or denial
   2. the expression of such a relation
8. against one's better judgment
   contrary to a more appropriate or preferred course of action
9. sit in judgment
   1. to preside as judge
   2. to assume the position of critic
10. in someone's judgment
    in someone's opinion

Other Words From

• inter·judgment noun
• re·judgment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of judgment¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English jug(g)ement, from Old French jugement, from juge- (stem of jugier “to judge”; judge ) + -ment -ment

Idioms and Phrases

see against one's better judgment ; snap judgment .

Example Sentences

For now, Windheim is relying on her own judgment to make that call.

From MIT Technology Review

The treatment involves applying electrodes to a spot in the brain called the internal capsule, and works by stimulating connections to the prefrontal cortex to improve cognitive functions such as perception and judgment.

From Fortune

At its root, reinforcement learning is learning from your mistakes in judgment.

From Singularity Hub 

A few air purifier models are consistently highly ranked by reputable reviewers, though you’ll have to make your own judgment when balancing factors like price, room size, and design.

From Fortune

At some point, it becomes a judgment call, which is why jurisdictions’ rules vary so much.

From FiveThirtyEight

Interesting that those who sat in judgment of him found those two sets of beliefs to be incompatible.

From The Daily Beast

If so, he has his silence -- on top of poor judgment -- to blame.

From The Daily Beast

[These actions] call into question not only their judgment but how true the effort is to expanding into those communities.

From The Daily Beast

We have reached a tipping point in the culture where Americans are now trained to look to the rules instead of their own judgment.

From The Daily Beast

Common sense is not a just a normative judgment about wisdom, but a structural feature of any functioning organization.

From The Daily Beast

But it seems to me that with adolescence comes the right to knowledge and the right of judgment.

From Project Gutenberg

Now for the tempering of the Gudgeons, I leave it to the judgment of the Workman; but a word or two of the polishing of it.

From Project Gutenberg

By his commandment he maketh the snow to fall apace, and sendeth forth swiftly the lightnings of his judgment.

From Project Gutenberg

By the words of the holy one they stand in judgment, and shall never fall in their watches.

From Project Gutenberg

No man opens his ware with greater seriousness, or challenges your judgment more in the operation.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• analysis
• appraisal
• assessment
• award
• belief
• conclusion
• conviction
• decree
• determination
• evaluation
• finding
• idea
• inquiry
• observation
• opinion
• order
• resolution
• result
• review
• ruling