Words / B1

JOORR-ee/ˈdʒʊəri/

A jury is the group in court that decides guilty or not guilty: the jury; a jury trial; jury service (UK duty). A judge decides the sentence in many cases; the jury decides the verdict. Jury also judges a competition. Do not write “the jury of the police” — police are not the jury. Unanimous jury is a news phrase.

Meaning

A group of people in court who decide if someone is guilty; also a panel that judges a competition.

Examples

• “The jury took two days to reach a verdict.”
• “The jury took a day to reach a verdict of not guilty.”
• “She was called up for jury service at the Crown Court.”

Good to know

the jury; a jury trial; jury service (UK). Verdict: jury. Sentence: often the judge. Also a competition panel.

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