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noun Common

judiciary

joo-DIH-shuh-ree

Judiciary (noun) means the branch of government made up of courts and judges. Example: “The judiciary operates independently from the legislature and executive.”

noun
1
The branch of government made up of courts and judges.
"The judiciary operates independently from the legislature and executive."

How to use judiciary

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe whole court system and body of judges, as opposed to lawmakers or the government's executive branch.

Common pairings
independent judiciary federal judiciary

Word forms

judiciaries plural

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The _____ operates independently from the legislature and executive.

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin iudiciarius.

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for judiciary

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Frequently asked questions

What does “judiciary” mean?

The word “judiciary” means the branch of government made up of courts and judges. In plain terms, the whole court system and body of judges, as opposed to lawmakers or the government's executive branch.

How do you pronounce “judiciary”?

“Judiciary” is pronounced joo-DIH-shuh-ree (/ˌd͡ʒuːˈdɪʃɪɛɹi/ in IPA).

How do you use “judiciary” in a sentence?

Here is “judiciary” used in a sentence: “The judiciary operates independently from the legislature and executive.”

What part of speech is “judiciary”?

“Judiciary” is a noun.

Where does the word “judiciary” come from?

The word “judiciary” comes from Latin. Borrowed from Latin iudiciarius.

Is “judiciary” a common word?

“Judiciary” is a fairly common word in modern English.

What is the difference between the judiciary and the judicial branch?

The judiciary and the judicial branch refer to the same thing: the part of government made up of courts and judges. "Judiciary" is the noun most often used to name this branch collectively, while "judicial" is the adjective describing anything related to it.

How does the judiciary differ from the legislature and executive?

The judiciary consists of courts and judges who interpret and apply the law, whereas the legislature makes laws and the executive enforces and administers them. This separation is a core feature of governments built on separation of powers.

Is judiciary singular or plural?

Judiciary is a collective singular noun referring to the courts and judges as a whole body, so it normally takes a singular verb, as in "the judiciary is independent of the executive."

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