/ ˈdʒʌstɪfaɪ; NAmE / verb ( jus·ti·fies , jus·ti·fy·ing , jus·ti·fied , jus·ti·fied )
1.
to show that sb/sth is right or reasonable :
[ v -ing ]
How can they justify paying such huge salaries?
[ vn ]
Her success had justified the faith her teachers had put in her.
[also vn -ing ]
2.
justify sth / yourself (to sb) to give an explanation or excuse for sth or for doing sth
SYN defend :
[ vn ]
The Prime Minister has been asked to justify the decision to Parliament.
You don't need to justify yourself to me.
[also v -ing , vn -ing ]
3.
[ vn ] ( technical ) to arrange lines of printed text so that one or both edges are straight
•
IDIOMS
see end noun
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (in the senses administer justice to and inflict a judicial penalty on ): from Old French justifier , from Christian Latin justificare do justice to, from Latin justus , from jus law, right.