judicial

[ joo-dish-uhl ]

adjective

1. pertaining to judgment in courts of justice or to the administration of justice:

   judicial proceedings; the judicial system.

   Synonyms: juridical

2. pertaining to courts of law or to judges; judiciary:

   judicial functions.

   Synonyms: forensic, juridical

3. of or relating to a judge; proper to the character of a judge; judgelike:

   judicial gravity.

4. inclined to make or give judgments; critical; discriminating:

   a judicial mind.

5. decreed, sanctioned, or enforced by a court:

   a judicial decision.

6. giving or seeking judgment, as in a dispute or contest; determinative:

   a judicial duel over lands.

7. inflicted by God as a judgment or punishment.

judicial

/ dʒuːˈdɪʃəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to the administration of justice
2. of or relating to judgment in a court of law or to a judge exercising this function
3. inclined to pass judgment; discriminating
4. allowed or enforced by a court of law

   a decree of judicial separation

5. having qualities appropriate to a judge
6. giving or seeking judgment, esp determining or seeking determination of a contested issue

Derived Forms

• juˈdicially, adverb

Other Words From

• ju·dicial·ly adverb
• ju·dicial·ness noun
• nonju·dicial adjective
• nonju·dicial·ly adverb
• semi·ju·dicial adjective
• semi·ju·dicial·ly adverb
• subju·dicial adjective
• subju·dicial·ly adverb
• super·ju·dicial adjective
• super·ju·dicial·ly adverb
• unju·dicial adjective
• unju·dicial·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of judicial¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin jūdiciālis of the law courts, equivalent to jūdici ( um ) judgment ( judge, -ium ) + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of judicial¹

C14: from Latin jūdiciālis belonging to the law courts, from jūdicium judgment, from jūdex a judge

Synonym Study

See judicious.

Example Sentences

Should the Democrats succeed with most or all of the nominations, Trump will have around just 20 judicial vacancies to fill upon assuming office in January.

From Salon

Crucially for the present moment, they also did not “foresee that members of Congress and perhaps members of the judicial branch, too, would refuse to check the power of a president from their own party.”

From Salon

He urged the Senate and the Biden administration to push through as many judicial nominations as possible, calling it an "important path to protecting reproductive freedom" ahead of Trump taking office.

From Salon

The person who must decide is Andrew Stewart, better known by his judicial title, Lord Ericht, who is presiding over this judicial review of the UK government's decisions to approve the fields.

From BBC

It represents a failure of the judicial system to hold this individual genuinely accountable.

From Salon

More About Judicial

What does judicial mean?

Judicial describes something related to courts of law or judges. For example, a judicial review refers to a court reviewing the action of an administrative, legislative, or executive branch of government.

Broadly, judicial can refer to any part of the legal process, but it often relates directly to a judge and their practices. Judges make judicial decisions, and any court process that involves the judge making a decision is referred to as judicial.

Judicial can also be used to describe something or someone as critical or discriminating or inclined to making judgments. If you look carefully at both sides of an argument before making a serious decision, you could be described as being judicial in your decision-making.

Example: The judicial branch of government evaluates and upholds the law.

Where does judicial come from?

The first records of the term judicial come from the 1300s. It comes from the Latin jūdiciālis, meaning “of the court of law” or “judgment.” 

In the United States, the Supreme Court is made up of a panel of appointed judges who decide cases by judicial review and judicial voting. People often refer to the decisions of the Supreme Court as judicial, not because they are voted on by judges but because they are mostly final. The final, definitive ruling on something is often referred to as judicial, even if it has nothing to do with a judge, and the Supreme Court is often seen as the most definitive decision-maker.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to judicial?

• judicially (adverb)
• judicialness (noun)
• nonjudicial (adjective)

What are some synonyms for judicial?

• juridical

What are some words that share a root or word element with judicial? 

• judge
• judgment
• judicative
• judicial activism

What are some words that often get used in discussing judicial?

• law
• restraint
• separation

How is judicial used in real life?

Because judicial typically relates to a court of law, it’s often used in legal contexts or in news stories about governments and law.

BREAKING: French judicial official says Interpol president has been reported missing after traveling to China.

— The Associated Press (@AP) October 5, 2018

Speaker on #Libya state TV offers seat for EU observer on judicial committee investigating events

— Rawya Rageh (@RawyaRageh) February 22, 2011

BREAKING: Chinese judicial bureau says jailed Nobel Peace Prize laureate Liu Xiaobo has died of multiple organ failure. He was 61.

— The Associated Press (@AP) July 13, 2017

 

Try using judicial!

True or False?

A judicial decision is a decision made or enforced by a court of law.