Juris Doctor
noun
Ju·ris Doctor ˈju̇r-əs- 
: a degree conferred by a law school usually after three years of full-time study
Word History
Etymology
Latin, doctor of law
First Known Use
1904, in the meaning defined above
Legal Definition
juris doctor
noun
ju·ris doc·tor
ˈju̇r-əs-ˌdäk-tər
often capitalized J&D
: the lowest degree conferred by a law school usually after three years of full-time study or its equivalent compare master of laws, doctor of laws, doctor of the science of law
Note: The juris doctor replaced the bachelor of laws as the first degree conferred by a law school in 1969. Not all states mention the J.D. or LL.B. specifically as a requirement for admission to the bar, but all states do require graduation from a law school.