jury
JOOR-ree
Jury (noun) means a group of people selected to hear evidence in a court case and decide on a verdict. Example: “The jury deliberated for six hours before reaching a verdict.”
noun
1
A group of people selected to hear evidence in a court case and decide on a verdict.
"The jury deliberated for six hours before reaching a verdict."
"She was called for jury duty last month."
"The jury listened carefully to the witnesses before going to a private room."
2
A panel of judges chosen to decide the winner of a competition.
"The jury awarded first prize to a young violinist."
"A jury of local bakers will taste every cake before choosing a winner."
"The film festival jury praised the short documentary for its honest storytelling."
How to use jury
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA group that decides a verdict in court, or judges a competition.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
jury duty
jury deliberates
serve on a jury
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Word forms
- Plural
- juries
- Third person singular
- juries
- Past tense
- juried
Fill the gap
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The _____ deliberated for six hours before reaching a verdict.
Etymology
From Old French juree, ultimately from Latin iurare, "to swear an oath."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for jury
See all rhymes for jury →Frequently asked questions
What does “jury” mean?
The word “jury” means a group of people selected to hear evidence in a court case and decide on a verdict. In plain terms, a group that decides a verdict in court, or judges a competition.
How do you pronounce “jury”?
“Jury” is pronounced JOOR-ree (/ˈd͡ʒʊɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “jury” in a sentence?
Here is “jury” used in a sentence: “The jury deliberated for six hours before reaching a verdict.”
What part of speech is “jury”?
“Jury” is a noun.
Where does the word “jury” come from?
The word “jury” comes from Latin. From Old French juree, ultimately from Latin iurare, "to swear an oath.".
Is “jury” a common word?
“Jury” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “jury” have?
“Jury” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a group of people selected to hear evidence in a court case and decide on a verdict.
What is the difference between a jury and a juror?
A juror is one individual member; a jury is the whole group of jurors acting together. Twelve jurors, for instance, make up a single jury. You are summoned to serve as a juror, and once seated you become part of the jury that weighs the evidence and returns a verdict.
What are the types of jury?
The two best-known types are the trial jury and the grand jury. A trial jury, sometimes called a petit jury, hears a case and decides guilt or liability. A grand jury, used in some legal systems, decides only whether there is enough evidence to bring formal charges in the first place.
How many people are on a jury?
It varies by country and by the type of case. A criminal trial jury is traditionally twelve people, though some jurisdictions use fewer, and civil cases may seat as few as six. Grand juries are usually larger. Whatever the number, jurors typically must reach a required level of agreement to deliver a verdict.
Why is a jury important?
A jury places key decisions in the hands of ordinary citizens rather than a single official, guarding against bias and abuse of power. By requiring several people to agree, it spreads responsibility and reflects community judgment. Trial by jury is treated as a cornerstone of fairness in many legal systems.
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