jury
n. countablen. a group of ordinary people who listen to the facts in a court case and decide if someone is guilty or innocent. You also see this word used for a group of people who judge a competition.
n. a body of people sworn to give a verdict on some matter submitted to them; especially a body of people selected to render a verdict in a legal trial.
The jury found the defendant not guilty.
After deliberating for three days, the jury finally reached a unanimous decision on all counts.
Legal scholars often debate whether a jury of one's peers is truly capable of remains impartial when faced with highly technical forensic evidence and emotive testimony.
From Middle English jure, from Anglo-Norman juree, from Medieval Latin iūrāta, from Latin iūrō (“I swear or take an oath”).
Early 1600s, of uncertain origin. Perhaps ultimately from Old French ajurie, from Latin adiūtō. Alternatively, perhaps ultimately from Frankish *garu (“ready, prepared”), related to Middle English yore, ȝare, from Old English ġeoro, ġearu (“ready, prompt, prepared, quick”), related to gear.
In British English, it can take either a singular or plural verb; in American English, it almost always takes a singular verb.
the jury are decidingthe jury is decidingWhile both are correct in British English, American English strictly treats collective nouns like 'jury' as singular.