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jurist

American  
[joor-ist] / ˈdʒʊər ɪst /

noun

  1. a person versed in the law, as a judge, lawyer, or scholar.

jurist British  
/ ˈdʒʊərɪst /

noun

  1. a person versed in the science of law, esp Roman or civil law

  2. a writer on legal subjects

  3. a student or graduate of law

  4. (in the US) a lawyer

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of jurist

1475–85; < French juriste < Medieval Latin jūrist ( a ). See jus, -ist

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The jurist is also overseeing President Trump’s continuing bid to move his hush-money case from state to federal court.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 11, 2026

Former professional footballer Claude Makelele also withdrew as a jurist, citing "unforeseen personal reasons" in a statement on social media.

From Barron's • Nov. 21, 2025

It is one of the most unhinged opinions ever published by an American jurist.

From Slate • Nov. 20, 2025

The plaque that previously labelled the statue read "author, poet, scholar, soldier, jurist, orator, philanthropist and philosopher".

From BBC • Oct. 28, 2025

Pater Aquillus is a jurist, and his library is filled with everything from obscure law books to ancient Scholar tomes on mathematics.

From "An Ember in the Ashes" by Sabaa Tahir

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.