Juris Doctor

noun

Ju·​ris Doctor ˈju̇r-əs- How to pronounce Juris Doctor (audio)
: a degree conferred by a law school usually after three years of full-time study

Examples of Juris Doctor 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.
Anthony gained his Bachelor of Arts degree from Florida International University in 2002 and his Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University College of Law in 2005, having won multiple awards. Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024 According to Washington Monthly, Cheney and Perry eventually met at a Colorado College alumni mixer in Washington, D.C. Cheney later enrolled in law school at the University of Chicago, and Perry received his Juris Doctor from Cornell Law School. Jessica Sager, People.com, 30 Oct. 2024 After receiving his Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School and completing a master’s degree in law at New York University, Girardi started his own law firm, Girardi Keese, in L.A. in 1965. Lynsey Eidell, Peoplemag, 23 Aug. 2023 Venisa graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration/management from Oklahoma State University in 1993, before going on to earn her Juris Doctor from Texas A&M University in 2003, according to her LinkedIn profile. Nicole Acosta, Peoplemag, 3 Jan. 2023 Cross earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville School of Law in 1978. Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2022 Sharrieff received his bachelor's degree in political science in 1993, his master's degree in exercise and sports science in 1995 and his Juris Doctor in 2001 from the University of Utah. Tamara Palmer, PEOPLE.com, 13 July 2022 Alexander graduated in 1984 with a Juris Doctor from the University of Texas at Austin Law School, reports Linda Hasco of PennLive.com, and actually worked as a lawyer. David Kindy, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Nov. 2021

Word History

Etymology

Latin, doctor of law

First Known Use

1904, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Juris Doctor was in 1904

Dictionary Entries Near Juris Doctor

Cite this Entry

“Juris Doctor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Juris%20Doctor. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

Legal Definition

juris doctor

noun
ju·​ris doc·​tor
ˈju̇r-əs-ˌdäk-tər
often capitalized J&D
: the lowest degree conferred by a law school usually after three years of full-time study or its equivalent compare master of laws, doctor of laws, doctor of the science of law

Note: The juris doctor replaced the bachelor of laws as the first degree conferred by a law school in 1969. Not all states mention the J.D. or LL.B. specifically as a requirement for admission to the bar, but all states do require graduation from a law school.

Etymology

New Latin, doctor of law

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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