What is the term for a court's decision as a result of a lawsuit?

In legal terminology, a court's decision following the resolution of a lawsuit is referred to as a judgment. This term encompasses the official decision made by a judge or a jury, which determines the rights and liabilities of the parties involved in the case. A judgment can result in various outcomes, including monetary damages, specific actions that the parties must take, or a declaration of legal status or rights.

While related terms such as decree and ruling can also apply in different contexts, they do not universally represent the final decision of a lawsuit. A decree typically refers to a formal order, often seen in family law cases or divorce proceedings, while a ruling is more generally associated with interim decisions made during the course of legal proceedings. A verdict specifically pertains to decisions made by juries in trials, particularly in criminal cases but does not comprehensively apply to all lawsuits. Therefore, the use of "judgment" is the most accurate and encompassing term for the courtroom's conclusive determination in a lawsuit.