What does judicial mean?
Judicial means relating to courts, judges, or the formal administration of justice. The word is especially common in legal and governmental contexts, including judicial review, judicial proceedings, judicial decisions, and the judicial branch of government. It can suggest both the authority of a court and the formal, rule-bound process by which legal disputes are decided. Judicial is more specific than legal, which can refer to anything connected with law, and it should not be confused with juridical, a more technical term often associated with legal systems, principles, and reasoning. Because judicial is primarily associated with courts and legal decision-making, it is usually formal in tone and is not interchangeable with lawful in every context. Understanding the word is useful when reading about constitutional law, court procedure, administrative review, and the organization of government.
adjectiveRelating to courts, judges, or the administration of justice. In some contexts, it means concerning a formal judgment or decision made by a court or other authority.
- Relating to courts, judges, or the administration of justice.
- Concerning a formal judgment or decision, especially one made through legal proceedings.
- Of or relating to the judiciary as a branch of government.
"The case was referred for judicial review after the administrative decision was challenged."
"The court considered the evidence before making its judicial decision."
"The report criticized the lack of transparency in the judicial branch."
"Judicial review is an important check on administrative power."
Judicial literally points to a judge: it descends from the Latin word for a person who decides cases.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does judicial come from?
The adjective comes from Latin judicialis, meaning “of or relating to a judge,” a form derived from iudex, meaning “judge” or “one who pronounces judgment.” English borrowed the word in the early 17th century in legal contexts. Its relatives include judge, judgment, adjudicate, and prejudice, all associated with the Latin vocabulary of deciding and pronouncing judgment.
Related word forms
How judicial is actually used
Judicial is a formal legal term. It is usually used with courts, judges, proceedings, decisions, review, and the judiciary, rather than as a general synonym for lawful or legally related.
Easily confused with judicial
Legal refers broadly to matters involving law, while judicial specifically relates to courts, judges, or judicial decisions and proceedings.
Juridical is a more formal or technical term often used for legal reasoning, legal systems, and legal principles, whereas judicial commonly emphasizes courts and judges.