justification
nounCA, US, UK /ˌd͡ʒʌstɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/ · AU /ˌd͡ʒɐstɪfɪˈkæɪʃən/
Etymology From Middle English justificacioun, justification, from Middle French justification, from Late Latin iustificationem, justificationem < iustificatio, from iustifico, from Latin iustus.
1
A reason, explanation, or excuse which someone believes provides convincing, morally acceptable support for behavior or for a belief or occurrence.
- The growing use of social media to spread anger and dissent in the Arab world has been hailed by western governments as one of the chief justifications for a completely unfettered internet. The US is reportedly funding the secret rollout of technology in Iran in an effort to undermine internet censors in the country.2012 April 19, Josh Halliday, “Free speech haven or lawless cesspool – can the internet be civilised?”, in The Guardian, archived from the original on 08 May 2025:
2
Christianity The forgiveness of sin.
- […] to articulate a common understanding of our justification by God’s grace through faith in Christ.1999, Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification, (Please provide the book title or journal name):
3
Media, Publishing, Typography The alignment of text to the left margin (left justification), the right margin (right justification), or both margins (full justification).
- Antonyms
- condemnation, conviction
- Derived terms
- justificational, justificationism, justificationist, overjustification, rejustification, self-justification
- Related terms
- acquittal, exculpation, justify, warrantedness, worthwhileness