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verdict

noun
ver·​dict | \ ˈvər-(ˌ)dikt How to pronounce verdict (audio) \

Definition of verdict

1 : the finding or decision of a jury on the matter submitted to it in trial
2 : opinion, judgment
Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about verdict

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Examples of verdict in a Sentence

The verdict was not guilty. The jury reached a guilty verdict.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 The verdict is likely to quiet the anger in the United States prompted by his arrest and detention following a street brawl in Stockholm in late June in which the rapper was accused of stomping on a man after throwing him to the ground. — Rick Noack, BostonGlobe.com, "Swedish court finds rapper A$AP Rocky guilty of assault but orders no prison time," 14 Aug. 2019 But the verdict is out on whether these plans will pay off. — Pamela Mcclintock, The Hollywood Reporter, "Theater Chains Go MoviePass: How the Big Three in the U.S. Stack Up," 7 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'verdict.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of verdict

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for verdict

Middle English verdit, verdict, borrowed from Anglo-French veirdit "announcement, finding, judicial decision," from veir "true" (going back to Latin vērus) + dit "statement, judgment" (going back to Latin dictum), after Medieval Latin vērumdictum, vēredictum — more at very entry 2, dictum

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More Definitions for verdict

verdict

noun
How to pronounce verdict (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of verdict

law : the decision made by a jury in a trial
: a judgment or opinion about something

See the full definition for verdict in the English Language Learners Dictionary

verdict

noun
ver·​dict | \ ˈvər-dikt How to pronounce verdict (audio) \

Kids Definition of verdict

1 : the decision reached by a jury
2 : judgment sense 2, opinion What's your verdict on his proposal?

verdict

noun
ver·​dict | \ ˈvər-dikt How to pronounce verdict (audio) \

Legal Definition of verdict

1 : the usually unanimous finding or decision of a jury on one or more matters (as counts of an indictment or complaint) submitted to it in trial that ordinarily in civil actions is for the plaintiff or for the defendant and in criminal actions is guilty or not guilty — compare judgment sense 1a
— compromise verdict
: a verdict produced not by sincere unanimous agreement on guilt or liability but by an improper surrender of individual convictions specifically : an impermissible verdict by a jury that is unable to agree on liability and so compromises on an award of damages that is less than what it should be if the plaintiff has a right of recovery free from any doubts
— directed verdict
1 : a verdict granted by the court when the party with the burden of proof has failed to present sufficient evidence of a genuine issue of material fact that must be submitted to a jury for its resolution : judgment as a matter of law at judgment 1a the order of the court granting a motion for a directed verdict is effective without any assent of the jury — Massachusetts Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 50(a) — see also judgment notwithstanding the verdict at judgment sense 1a

Note: Under Rule 50 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, judgment as a matter of law has replaced directed verdict in federal practice.

2 : a verdict of acquittal ordered by the court on the ground that the evidence is not sufficient to support a conviction when viewed in the light most favorable to the prosecution : judgment of acquittal at judgment 1a

Note: Under Rule 29 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, the term judgment of acquittal has replaced directed verdict in federal practice.

— directed verdict of acquittal
: directed verdict in this entry
— excessive verdict
: a verdict that awards damages grossly disproportionate to injury and shocks the court's sense of justice and that may be remedied by a lessening of damages or a new trial — see also remittitur
— general verdict
: a verdict that is either for the plaintiff or for the defendant and is often returned with answers to interrogatories on questions of fact where there exists a conflict between the general verdict and the interrogatories, the trial court may determine that the answers to the interrogatories prevail — Berk v. Matthews, 559 N.E.2d 1301 (1990) — see also interrogatory, special interrogatory — compare special verdict in this entry
— instructed verdict
: directed verdict in this entry
— partial verdict
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