in law, signifies a maintaining or showing a sufficient reason in court why the defendant did what he is called to answer. Pleas in justification must set forth some special matter; thus, on being sued for a trespass, a person may justify it by proving, that the land is his own freehold; that he entered a house in order to apprehend a felon; or by virtue of a warrant, to levy a forfeiture, or in order to take a distress; and in an assault, that he did it out of necessity.

in theology, that act of grace which renders a man just in the sight of God, and worthy of eternal happiness. See Theology.

The Romanists and Reformed are extremely divided about the doctrine of justification; the latter contending for justification by faith alone, and the former by good works.