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justice definition

jus·tice (jus′tis)

noun

  1. the quality of being righteous; rectitude
  2. impartiality; fairness
  3. the quality of being right or correct
  4. sound reason; rightfulness; validity
  5. reward or penalty as deserved; just deserts
    1. the use of authority and power to uphold what is right, just, or lawful
    2. the personification of this, usually a blindfolded goddess holding scales and a sword
  7. the administration of law; procedure of a law court
    1. judge ()
    2. justice of the peace

Etymology: OFr < L justitia < justus: see just

justice Idioms

bring to justice

to cause (a wrongdoer) to be tried in court and duly punished

do justice to

  1. to treat fitly or fairly
  2. to treat with due appreciation; enjoy properly

do oneself justice

  1. to do something in a manner worthy of one's ability
  2. to be fair to oneself

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

idioms justice idiom

law justice definition - legal

justice Synonyms

justice

n.

  1. Fairness

    right, truth, equity; see fairness.

  2. Lawfulness

    legality, equity, rightfulness, prescriptive right, statutory right, established right, legitimacy, validity, sanction, legalization, constitutionality, authority, code, charter, creed, credo, decree, legitimization, rule, regularity, legal process, authorization; see also legality.

    Antonyms illegality, illegitimacy*, inequity. *

  3. The administration of law

    judicature, adjudication, equity, settlement, arbitration, hearing, legal process, the forms of the law, due process, judicial procedure, jury trial, trial by law, trial by jury, regulation, decision, pronouncement, review, appeal, sentence, consideration, rehearsing, pleading, taking evidence, litigation, prosecution, presentment; see also judgment 2, law 1, 2, trial 2.

    Antonyms lawlessness, disorder*, despotism. *

  4. A judge

    magistrate, justice of the peace, chancellor; see judge 1.

bring to justice

capture, try, exact punishment from; see arrest 1, punish.

do justice to

treat fairly, do right by, appreciate, esteem; see admire 1, respect 2, treat 1.

do oneself justice

be fair to oneself, give oneself credit, acquit oneself well; see justify 2, succeed 1.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

justice Usage Examples

Noun used with modifier

  • licensing: Licenses are granted by the local licensing justices or magistrates ' court.

Possessives

  • clerk: Back to top Where do justices ' clerks fit?

Preposition: in

  • eyre: Earlier on, they could also be made in the Exchequer and before justices in eyre.

Noun used with modifier

  • youth: Further progress was also being made on speeding up youth justice.

Preposition: of

  • peace: Power of justice of the peace to grant warrant to enter certain places.
justice usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

justice quotes

It is not, what a lawyer tells me I may do; but what humanity, reason, and justice, tells me I ought to do.

-Burke, Edmund

   Whether we bringourenemiestojustice, orbring justice to our enemies, justice will be done.

-Bush, GeorgeW(alker)

Justice is being allowed to do whatever I like. Injustice is whatever prevents my doing it.

-Butler, Samuel

justice quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
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justice. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/justice

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