judiciary

[joo-dish-ee-er-ee, -dish-uh-ree]

noun

plural

judiciaries 

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 Word Forms

• judiciarily adverb
• subjudiciary adjective

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

There are growing indications that the newly constructed America-centric trade regime could be dismantled in the days ahead by the US judiciary.

From BBC

Mahmood said: "Individual sentencing decisions will always be the responsibility of the independent judiciary – and this is something I will staunchly defend."

From BBC

He knows how the Scottish judiciary works and the key figures in it.

From BBC

In few other countries is political life so rigorously policed by a branch of the judiciary.

From BBC

The administration’s tactics are a quick way to get around recalcitrant lawmakers but risk undermining the judiciary’s role as an independent branch of government, he said.

From Salon