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¹jury

noun ju·ry \ˈju̇r-ē\

: a group of people who are members of the public and are chosen to make a decision in a legal case

: a group of people who decide the winners in a contest

plural juries

Full Definition of JURY

: a body of persons sworn to give a verdict on some matter submitted to them; especially : a body of persons legally selected and sworn to inquire into any matter of fact and to give their verdict according to the evidence

: a committee for judging and awarding prizes at a contest or exhibition

: one (as the public or test results) that will decide —used especially in the phrase the jury is still out

See jury defined for English-language learners

See jury defined for kids

Origin of JURY

Middle English jure, from Anglo-French juree, from jurer to swear, from Latin jurare, from jur-, jus

First Known Use: 15th century

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

Rhymes with JURY

fleury, fury, houri, Urey

²jury

adjective

Definition of JURY

: improvised for temporary use especially in an emergency : makeshift <a jury mast> <a jury rig>

Origin of JURY

Middle English jory (in jory saile improvised sail)

First Known Use: 15th century

³jury

verb

jur·iedjury·ing

Definition of JURY

transitive verb

: to select material as appropriate for exhibition in (as an art show) —used chiefly as a participle <a juried show>

Origin of JURY

¹jury

First Known Use: 1947

JURY Defined for Kids

jury

noun ju·ry \ˈju̇r-ē\

plural juries

Definition of JURY for Kids

: a group of citizens chosen to hear and decide the facts of a case in a court of law

: a committee that judges and awards prizes (as at an exhibition)

Word Root of JURY

The Latin word jus, meaning “law” or “rights,” and its form juris give us the roots jus and jur. Words from the Latin jus have something to do with law. A juror is a person who decides the facts of a case in a court of law. A jury is a group of jurors. When a decision in a court is just, it is fair and right and agrees with the law. Even the first two letters of judge, to form an opinion about whether something follows the law and is right, come from jus.