JUSTICE Definition & Meaning

View synonyms for

justice

[ juhs-tis ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the quality of being just; righteousness, equitableness, or moral rightness:
to uphold the justice of a cause.
rightfulness or lawfulness, as of a claim or title; justness of ground or reason:
to complain with justice.
the moral principle determining just conduct.
conformity to this principle, as manifested in conduct; just conduct, dealing, or treatment:
Victims of rape and sexual assault have the right to the evidence they need to seek justice.
just treatment of all members of society with regard to a specified public issue, including equitable distribution of resources and participation in decision-making (usually used in combination):
Environmental justice means that all people, regardless of race or income, have the right to a clean and healthy environment.
A group of moms in the Bridgeton area are advocating for health justice for those living around the landfills.
When we speak of climate justice, we demonstrate our sensitivity and resolve to secure the future of poor people from the perils of natural disasters.
the administering of deserved punishment or reward.
the maintenance or administration of what is just by law, as by judicial or other proceedings:
a court of justice.
judgment of persons or causes by judicial process:
to administer justice in a community.
a judge on a higher court, especially a Supreme Court:
the nine justices on the U.S. Supreme Court.
a minor judicial officer or magistrate.
Justice. Also called Justice Department. the Department of Justice.

Justice

[ juhs-tis ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Donald, 1925–2004, U.S. poet.
a town in NE Illinois.

justice

/ ˈ��ʌ��ɪ�� /

noun

the quality or fact of being just
ethics
1. the principle of fairness that like cases should be treated alike
2. a particular distribution of benefits and burdens fairly in accordance with a particular conception of what are to count as like cases
3. the principle that punishment should be proportionate to the offence
the administration of law according to prescribed and accepted principles
conformity to the law; legal validity
a judge of the Supreme Court of Judicature
short for justice of the peace
good reason (esp in the phrase with justice )
he was disgusted by their behaviour, and with justice
do justice to
1. to show to full advantage
  the picture did justice to her beauty
2. to show full appreciation of by action
  he did justice to the meal
3. to treat or judge fairly
do oneself justice
to make full use of one's abilities
bring to justice
to capture, try, and usually punish (a criminal, an outlaw, etc)

Justice

A figure in painting and sculpture that symbolizes the impartiality of true justice. The figure of Justice usually appears as a blindfolded woman with a scale in one hand and a sword in the other.

Discover More

Other 51�Թ� Forms

��ܲ�·�پ��·�� adjective

Discover More

51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of justice¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin ��ū��پ��پ��, equivalent to ��ū��(�ܲ�) just ¹ + -itia -ice

Discover More

51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of justice¹

C12: from Old French, from Latin ��ū��پ��پ��, from justus just

Discover More

Idioms and Phrases

bring to justice, to cause to come before a court for trial or to receive punishment for one's misdeeds:
The murderer was brought to justice.
do justice,
1. to act or treat justly or fairly.
2. to appreciate properly:
  We must see this play again to do it justice.
3. to acquit in accordance with one's abilities or potential:
  He finally got a role in which he could do himself justice as an actor.

More idioms and phrases containing justice

see do justice to ; miscarriage of justice ; poetic justice .

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Though the justices dismissed his case then, their opinion signaled an embrace of Griffin's argument.

From

"He wasn't particularly interested in the student movement or politics," Lee said, but he did have "a strong belief in justice".

From

“We will continue to seek justice for the victim and her family and work tirelessly to hold the defendant accountable,” the district attorney’s office said in a statement.

From

“The escalation from targeting a testifying witness to making a direct death threat against the elected district attorney of Fulton County is a grave and unprecedented attack on the justice system,” the motion said.

From

And because pollution is no respecter of ZIP codes, this fledgling environmental justice movement energized other parts of L.A. too.

From

Related 51�Թ�s

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

Browse