B2nounformal2K

Jury

UK /["/ˈdʒʊəri/"]/US /["/ˈdʒʊri/"]/

Definition

a group of members of the public who listen to the facts of a case in a court and decide whether or not somebody is guilty of a crime, or whether a claim has been proved

In simple words: A group of people who decide if someone is guilty or innocent in a trial.

Examples

  • The jury found the defendant guilty after deliberating for three hours.
  • The jury consists of twelve people drawn from the community.
  • During the trial, the jury listened carefully to all the evidence presented.
  • The jury's decision was unanimous in acquitting the accused.
  • The film festival jury selected the best movie for the grand prize.
  • The cooking competition jury praised the chef's innovative dishes.

Usage notes

Used primarily in legal contexts. Appropriate in discussions about court cases but may sound out of place in casual conversations.

Grammar pattern

jury + verb (e.g., 'the jury decided')

Memory hint

Think of a 'jury' being a group of people deciding if you are 'guilty' or 'innocent', like a jury in a game.

Collocations

  • inquest
  • trial
  • grand
  • serve on
  • sit on
  • tell
  • hear something
  • investigate something
  • retire
  • duty
  • service
  • trial
  • before a jury
  • on a/​the jury
  • jury of
  • the foreman of the jury
  • members of the jury
  • trial by jury
  • choose
  • select
  • judge something
  • consist of somebody
  • award (somebody) something
  • on a/​the jury
  • jury for

Synonyms

  • panel
  • tribunal
  • bench

Antonyms

  • judge
  • defendant

Common mistakes

  • Confusing 'jury' with 'judge', which refers to the individual overseeing the trial.
  • Using 'jurors' when referring to the group, but forgetting that 'jury' can also mean the entire group.
  • Mispronouncing the word, often saying 'jurry' instead of 'jury'.