# Eyre

/ˈɛɹ/ (US) · /ˈaɪɐ/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/eyre
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a journey made by a traveling judge in old England to visit different towns and hear legal cases.

For teachers: a circuit travel undertaken by itinerant justices in medieval England to preside over local courts. Refers both to the journey itself and the court session held during the visit.

## Examples

- The judge arrived in the village during his eyre.
- In the thirteenth century, the general eyre was a powerful tool for the king to oversee local administration and collect fines.
- The arrival of the justices in eyre often caused significant anxiety among local officials, as any administrative oversight discovered during the proceedings could result in heavy financial penalties for the entire county.

## Usage notes

- Often used in the phrase 'in eyre' to describe the status of the traveling justices.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.