justiciable

adjective

jus·​ti·​cia·​ble ˌjə-ˈsti-sh(ē-)ə-bəl How to pronounce justiciable (audio)
1
: liable to trial in a court of justice
a justiciable offense
2
: capable of being decided by legal principles or by a court of justice
justiciability
ˌjə-ˌsti-sh(ē-)ə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce justiciable (audio)
noun

Examples of justiciable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The term non-justiciable means these constitutional provisions cannot be enforced by courts. — Deepa Das Acevedo, The Conversation, 12 Aug. 2022 At the same time, finding that congressional subpoenas are non-justiciable would be a major long-term boon for future presidents who might chafe at oversight. — Matt Ford, The New Republic, 28 Apr. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of justiciable was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Justicia
justiciable
justiciar
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Cite this Entry

“Justiciable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/justiciable. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.

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Legal Definition

justiciable

adjective
jus·​ti·​cia·​ble jə-ˈsti-shə-bəl, -shē-ə- How to pronounce justiciable (audio)
: capable of being decided according to legal principles by a court
whether the tax laws unfairly burden the poor is not a justiciable issue
especially : triable in a court
the claim is not justiciable because the plaintiff has no present right to the property but may in the future
see also political question at question sense 2 compare moot
justiciability
jə-ˌsti-shə-ˈbi-lə-tē, -shē-ə- How to pronounce justiciable (audio)
noun
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