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

The classic example of this is Peru in 1992, when strongman President Alberto Fujimori purged the political opposition from Congress and the judiciary and wrote a new constitution.

From Washington Post

Even the judiciary is not immune to his overarching influence.

From Time

The Delaware case raised tricky constitutional questions about the state’s desire to make sure its judiciary is politically balanced.

From Washington Post

Leaders of the federal judiciary are working to block bipartisan legislation designed to create a national database of court records that would provide free access to case documents.

From Washington Post

He attacked anybody and everybody who disagreed with him, including members of the judiciary, members of Congress, the press.

From Washington Post

Sixteen have cleared the Judiciary Committee, 13 with unanimous support from members of both parties.

From The Daily Beast

This will have a lasting and important impact on the federal judiciary for decades to come.

From The Daily Beast

Within the House Judiciary Committee, six Republicans voted with 21 Democrats to impeach the president.

From The Daily Beast

An argument can be made that, because the judiciary has specific requirements, there is less competition for the posts.

From The Daily Beast

These are political issues that need to be resolved via the political process, not via the judiciary.

From The Daily Beast

Also, an absolutely correct text of the Scots judiciary oath.

From Project Gutenberg

He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers.

From Project Gutenberg

And in regard, Sir, to the judiciary, the Constitution is still more express and emphatic.

From Project Gutenberg

The first was, that the government of the United States ought to consist of a supreme legislative, judiciary, and executive.

From Project Gutenberg

They may lead to a change in the legislative expressions of the general will—possibly to a change in the opinion of the judiciary.

From Project Gutenberg