What does jury mean?
A jury is a group of people formally chosen to examine evidence, determine facts, or assess competing entries. In a criminal trial, jurors hear testimony and arguments and then decide whether the evidence proves the case beyond a reasonable doubt; the judge is responsible for explaining and applying the law. The word also refers to panels that award prizes in competitions, exhibitions, and public contests. Jury service is generally a civic duty, although exemption and eligibility rules differ by jurisdiction. The term comes from the idea of taking an oath: members of a jury are sworn to consider the evidence impartially and reach a verdict based on it. In everyday conversation, “jury” can suggest a panel whose collective judgment is final, as in “the jury is still out.” As a verb, “jury” means to judge or select after consideration, such as when a panel of filmmakers evaluates a film, though this use is less common than the noun.
A group of people formally selected to examine evidence and determine facts in a legal proceeding, or to assess entries in a competition or other contest.
"The jury retired to deliberate its verdict."
In a criminal trial, a jury decides the facts, while the judge generally determines questions of law and directs the proceedings.
To judge, evaluate, or select something after considering a group of examples, submissions, or candidates.
"A panel of filmmakers will jury the submitted works."
This verb is relatively uncommon and is especially associated with criticism, competitions, and artistic evaluation.
The regular plural of “jury” is “juries.”
"Two separate juries heard evidence in the case."
A jury takes its name from the oath its members swear to follow the law and weigh the evidence honestly.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does jury come from?
The word comes through Old French juree, meaning “sworn,” from Latin iurare, “to swear,” with the related Latin iuramentum meaning “oath.” The earliest sense referred to a body of people sworn to make a decision, especially in legal proceedings. English developed both the legal noun and related forms such as juror, jurat, and jurisdiction from this same root of swearing and making a formal declaration.
Related word forms
How jury is actually used
In legal contexts, especially in the United States, “jury” commonly refers to a group of citizens sworn to decide facts, while the judge applies the law. In British English, the term is also used in competition and assessment contexts. The verb is comparatively uncommon and is more typical of criticism, arts, and evaluation contexts.