judicial branch
7
4.2
- noun
- /dʒuˈdɪʃəl bræntʃ/
- Formal
:
poder judicial
- Many citizens rely on the judicial branch to resolve disputes and uphold the rule of law.
- judicial branch of government
- executive and judicial branch
- legislative and judicial branches
Examples
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In our government, the judicial branch interprets laws and ensures justice is served.
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There's a reason we have a judicial branch in our government.
Blog text (32) -
What does the judicial branch do, Judge?
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Independent of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.
Academic text (2006) -
The executive branch should be subject to independent oversight by the judicial branch.
Blog text (17) -
The creation of the judicial branch, it is important to remember, was by no means a foregone conclusion.
Academic text (2003) -
Parts of the Patriot Act have already been deemed unconstitutional by the judicial branch.
Blog text (14) -
Could U.S. government officials, whether in the executive, legislative, or judicial branches, prosecute individuals for libel and slander?
Academic text (2016) -
Any country that seeks to replicate the Delhi process must understand how its judicial branch's actions fit into the larger milieu of people and institutions.
Academic text (2005) -
The judicial branch plays a crucial role in protecting citizens' rights through fair trials.
Synonyms
320
6.5
A system of courts and judges that applies the law in a country
41
3.9
The courts and judges who use laws to make fair decisions about cases
1
9.9
A system of courts and people who decide legal cases
A group of courts that make legal decisions
How Independent
Surface Forms
Morphology
Both constituents directly contribute to the meaning: 'judicial' means relating to courts/judges and 'branch' means a subdivision of an organization, so together they transparently denote the government subdivision that handles courts and justice. The composition follows a common institutional naming pattern found across many languages, so a B1 learner who knows the parts will readily infer the full meaning.
Etymology
The term judicial branch uses the image of a tree with parts called branches. The word branch means a part that splits off and judicial means about judges, so the phrase shows the part of government where judges 'interpret laws' and make legal decisions.