What does "jury" mean?
A group of individuals chosen from the general population to hear and decide a case in a court of law.
Jury
/ˈd͡ʒʊəɹi/ adj, noun, verb, slang
adj, noun, verb, slang ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A group of individuals chosen from the general population to hear and decide a case in a court of law.
- Grammar: jury is listed as adj, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: panel, country, inquest, judging panel.
- Useful contrasts: bench, benches, competitors.
- Usage evidence: In the justice system of the United States, there are twelve people on a jury.
How to use "jury"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "jury" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "jury" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "jury" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "jury" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
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- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "jury" is acting as adj, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "panel" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "jury", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A group of individuals chosen from the general population to hear and decide a case in a court of law.
"And so the jury and he approached, as if this were a time of peace instead of one of the greatest world disturbances ever known in history, the question whether the prosecution had proved to the jury’s satisfaction that George Joseph Smith was guilty of murder. The jury were the shield which stood between him and death, unless, to the jury’s satisfaction, he was proved to be guilty. Yet while they were the shield of the man accused, they were also the Sword of the State; and if the man were proved guilty, they were the servants of the State to punish him. Their respective functions were these: he the judge, had to settle the law, and the jury must take the law from him. The jury were judges of fact."
- 2 a body of citizens sworn to give a true verdict according to the evidence presented in a court of law wordnet
- 3 A group of judges in a competition.
- 4 a committee appointed to judge a competition wordnet
- 5 The audience attending the first night of a performance, whose reaction may determine whether it succeeds or fails. slang
"The jury which decides on the first night usually seals the fate of the season."
Verb
- 1 To judge by means of a jury.
Adjective
- 1 For temporary use; applied to a temporary contrivance. not-comparable
"jury mast"
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"In the justice system of the United States, there are twelve people on a jury."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "jury"?
Common synonyms include: panel, country, inquest, judging panel, jurors, jury panel.
How do you use "jury" in a sentence?
In the justice system of the United States, there are twelve people on a jury.
How do you pronounce "jury"?
Pronounced /ˈd͡ʒʊəɹi/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English jure, from Anglo-Norman juree, from Medieval Latin iūrāta, from Latin iūrō (“I swear or take an oath”).
Etymology 2
Early 1600s, of uncertain origin. Perhaps ultimately from Old French ajurie, from Latin adiūtō. Alternatively, perhaps ultimately from Frankish *garu (“ready, prepared”), related to Middle English yore, ȝare, from Old English ġeoro, ġearu (“ready, prompt, prepared, quick”), related to gear.