Full Definition of JUDGE. transitive verb. 1. : to form an opinion about through careful weighing of evidence and testing of premises. 2. : to sit in judgment on: try. 3. : to determine or pronounce after inquiry and deliberation. 4. : govern, rule —used of a Hebrew tribal leader.ord Root of JUDGE. The Latin word jus, meaning “ law ” or “ rights, ” and its form juris give us the roots jus and jur. Words from the Latin jus have something to do with law. A jur or is a person who decides the facts of a case in a court of law. A jur y is a group of jurors.