Justice

UK: 'justice', 'Justice': /ˈdʒʌstɪs/

US: /ˈdʒʌstɪs/

US: ( jus′tis)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

jus•tice /ˈdʒʌstɪs/   n. 

1. the quality of being just;
   righteousness, fairness, or moral rightness:
   [uncountable] If there is any justice in this world, you'll be rewarded for your hard work.
2. rightfulness:
   [uncountable] There's justice in what he says.
3. Law judgment of individuals or causes by judicial process:
   [uncountable] The courts administer justice.
4. Law [countable] a judicial officer;
   a judge or magistrate.

Idioms

5. Idioms bring (someone) to justice, [bring + object + to + ~] to cause to come before a court for trial or to receive punishment for one's crimes.
6. Idioms do justice:
   • to appreciate properly: [do + justice to + object]
     We'll have to see the play again if we want to do justice to it.
     [do + object (pronoun) + justice]
     If you want to do it justice, you'll just have to see it again.
   • to reflect or express the worth of properly: [do + justice + to + object]
     That gown simply doesn't do justice to your figure.
     [do + object (pronoun) + justice]
     That gown doesn't do you justice.

See -jus-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

jus•tice  ( jus′tis), n. 

1. the quality of being just;
   righteousness, equitableness, or moral rightness:
   to uphold the justice of a cause.
2. rightfulness or lawfulness, as of a claim or title;
   justness of ground or reason:
   to complain with justice.
3. the moral principle determining just conduct.
4. conformity to this principle, as manifested in conduct;
   just conduct, dealing, or treatment.
5. the administering of deserved punishment or reward.
6. the maintenance or administration of what is just by law, as by judicial or other proceedings:
   a court of justice.
7. judgment of persons or causes by judicial process:
   to administer justice in a community.
8. Law a judicial officer;
   a judge or magistrate.
9. Government (cap.) Also called Jus′tice Depart′ment. the Department of Justice.
10. Idioms 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.
11. Idioms do justice:
    • to act or treat justly or fairly.
    • to appreciate properly:
      We must see this play again to do it justice.
    • to acquit in accordance with one's abilities or potentialities:
      He finally got a role in which he could do himself justice as an actor.

• Latin jūstitia, equivalent. to jūst(us) just¹ + -itia -ice
• Old French
• Middle English 1150–1200

jus′tice•less, adj. 

Jus•tice  ( jus′tis), n. 

1. Biographical Donald, born 1925, U.S. poet.
2. Place Names a town in NE Illinois. 10,552.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

justice / ˈdʒʌstɪs/ noun

1. the quality or fact of being just
2. the principle of fairness that like cases should be treated alike
3. the administration of law according to prescribed and accepted principles
4. conformity to the law; legal validity
5. a judge of the Supreme Court of Judicature
6. short for justice of the peace
7. good reason (esp in the phrase with justice): she was disgusted by their behaviour, and with justice
8. do justice to ⇒ to show to full advantage: the picture did justice to the scene
9. to show full appreciation of by action: he did justice to the meal
10. to treat or judge fairly
11. do oneself justice ⇒ to make full use of one's abilities
12. bring to justice ⇒ to capture, try, and usually punish (a criminal, an outlaw, etc)

Etymology: 12th Century: from Old French, from Latin jūstitia, from justus just