1. countable noun [oft noun NOUN, NOUN noun, oft in/atN]
A court is a place where legal matters are decided by a judge and jury or by a magistrate.
At this rate, we could find ourselves in the divorce courts!
...a county court judge.
He was deported on a court order following a conviction for armed robbery.
The 28-year-old striker was in court last week for breaking a rival player's jaw.
Synonyms: law court, bar, bench, tribunal More Synonyms of court
2. countable noun
You can refer to the people in a court, especially the judge, jury, or magistrates, as a court.
A court at Tampa, Florida has convicted five officials on fraud charges.
3. countable noun [oft on/offN]
A court is an area in which you play a game such as tennis, basketball, badminton, or squash.
The hotel has several tennis and squash courts.
She watched a few of the games while waiting to go on court.
Synonyms: playing area, park [US, Canadian], ground, field More Synonyms of court
4. countable noun [oft with poss, oft atNOUN]
The court of a king or queen is the place where he or she lives and carries out ceremonial or administrative duties.
She came to visit England, where she was presented at the court of James I. [+ of]
Their family was certainly well regarded at court.
Synonyms: palace, hall, castle, manor More Synonyms of court
5. noun, in names [noun NOUN]
In Britain, Court is used in the names of large houses and blocks of flats.
...7 Ivebury Court, Latimer Rd, London W10 6RA.
6. See also Crown Court, High Court, kangaroo court
7.
See go to court/ take sb to court
8.
See your day in court
9.
See to hold court
10.
See to laugh someone out of court
11.
See out of court
More Synonyms of court
court verb uses
(kɔːʳt)
Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense courts, present participle courting, past tense, past participle courted
1. verb
To court a particular person, group, or country means to try to please them or improve your relations with them, often so that they will do something thatyou want them to do.
[journalism]
Commercial radio stations are courting listeners who prefer different types of music. [VERB noun]
Stars are courted by manufacturers who value their influence on style-conscious fans. [VERB noun]
2. verb
If you court something such as publicity or popularity, you try to attract it.
She has to court publicity to sell records and concert tickets. [VERB noun]
Reynolds did not court favour and tended to speak his mind. [VERB noun]
3. verb
If you court something unpleasant such as disaster or unpopularity, you act in a way that makes it likely to happen.
If he thinks he can remain in power by force, he is courting disaster. [VERB noun]
The commission should risk courting unpopularity and push on with its policy changes. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: invite, seek, attract, prompt More Synonyms of court
4. reciprocal verb [usually cont]
If you are courting someone, you spend a lot of time with them, because you are intending to get married. You can also say that two people are courting.
[old-fashioned]
I was courting Billy at 19 and married him when I was 21. [VERB noun]
...an isolated spot popular with courting couples. [VERB-ing]
Synonyms: woo, go (out) with, go steady with [informal], date More Synonyms of court
court in British English
(kɔːt)
noun
1.
an area of ground wholly or partly surrounded by walls or buildings
2. British(capital when part of a name)
a.
a block of flats
Selwyn Court
b.
a mansion or country house
c.
a short street, sometimes closed at one end
3.
a space inside a building, sometimes surrounded with galleries
4.
a.
the residence, retinues, or household of a sovereign or nobleman
b.
(as modifier)
a court ball
5.
a sovereign or noble and his or her retinue, advisers, etc
6.
any formal assembly, reception, etc, held by a sovereign or noble with his or her courtiers
7.
homage, flattering attention, or amorous approaches (esp in the phrase pay court to someone)
8. law
a.
an authority having power to adjudicate in civil, criminal, military, or ecclesiastical matters
b.
the regular sitting of such a judicial authority
c.
the room or building in which such a tribunal sits
9.
a.
a marked outdoor or enclosed area used for any of various ball games, such as tennis, squash, etc
b.
a marked section of such an area
the service court
10.
a.
the board of directors or council of a corporation, company, etc
b. mainly British
the supreme council of some universities
11.
a branch of any of several friendly societies
12. go to court
13. hold court
14. out of court
15. the ball is in your court
verb
16.
to attempt to gain the love of (someone); woo
17. (transitive)
to pay attention to (someone) in order to gain favour
18. (transitive)
to try to obtain (fame, honour, etc)
19. (transitive)
to invite, usually foolishly, as by taking risks
to court disaster
20. old-fashioned
to be conducting a serious emotional relationship usually leading to marriage
Word origin
C12: from Old French, from Latin cohorscohort
Court in British English
(kɔːt)
noun
Margaret (née Smith). born 1942, Australian tennis player, winner of a record 24 Grand Slam singles titles: Australian Open champion 1960–66, 1969–71, and 1973; US Open champion 1962, 1965, 1969–70, and 1973; Wimbledon champion 1963, 1965, and 1970; French Open champion 1962, 1965, 1969–70, and 1973
court in American English
(kɔrt)
noun
1.
a.
an uncovered space wholly or partly surrounded by buildings or walls; courtyard
b.
a special section or area of a building, as a museum, somewhat like such a space but roofed, as with a skylight
2.
a short street, often closed at one end
3.
a.
a specially prepared space, usually quadrangular and often enclosed and roofed, forplaying any of several games, as basketball, handball, tennis, or squash
b.
any of the divisions of such a space
4.
a mansion or manor with a large, uncovered entrance area
now used only in proper names
Hampton Court
5. US
a motel
: in full motor court
6.
a.
the palace of a sovereign
b.
the family, advisors, and attendants of a sovereign, considered as a group
c.
a sovereign together with councilors, ministers, etc. as a governing body
d.
any formal gathering, reception, etc. held by a sovereign
7.
respectful or flattering attention paid to someone in order to get something
8.
courtship; wooing
9. British
the board of directors of a corporation
10.
a.
a person or persons appointed to try law cases, make investigations, etc.; judge or judges; law court
b.
a building or hall where trials are held, official investigations made, etc.
c.
a judicial assembly, whether civil, ecclesiastical, or military; also, a regularsession of such an assembly
verb transitive
11.
to pay respectful or flattering attention to (a person) in order to get something
12.
to try to get the love of; seek as a mate; woo
13.
to try to get; seek
to court success
14.
to make oneself open or liable to
to court insults
verb intransitive
15.
to carry on a courtship; woo
adjective
16.
of or fit for a court
Idioms:
in one's court
out of court
pay court to
Derived forms
courter (ˈcourter)
noun
Word origin
OFr < VL curtis < L cohors (gen. cohortis), enclosed place: see cohort
More idioms containing
court
rule something out of court
laughed out of court
hold court
the ball is in someone's court
COBUILD Collocations
court
attend court
basketball court
court was adjourned
face court
indoor court
military court
reach court
royal court
Examples of 'court' in a sentence
court
There were no tennis courts or football fields.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They were remanded in custody to appear before crown court judges next week.
The Sun (2016)
She is coping so much better with being on these courts and the attention.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The three were arrested and will appear in court today.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In the end he was released from hospital before the case could be determined by a higher court.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The trial at Oxford crown court continues.
The Sun (2016)
He was prepared to take on the education establishment and court unpopularity to make the system work for those who cannot afford school fees.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
A Reading crown court jury found him guilty of attempted murder.
The Sun (2017)
You court disaster if you are entirely selfish in your outlook.
Lumsden, Robert 23 Steps to Successful Achievement (1972)
The court clerk told her that the trial could be heard only at a crown court.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
How the high court will interpret the law is uncertain.
A Conceptual View of Human Resource Management: Strategic Objectives, Environments,Functions
We will have to see what the courts of appeal say.
The Sun (2013)
Many council courts have been left to go to ruin while football has been promoted.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The figure is expected to double with legal costs and more court battles.
The Sun (2007)
Both have in the past been accused of courting publicity.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Staying out of federal court became a top organizational priority.
A Conceptual View of Human Resource Management: Strategic Objectives, Environments,Functions
The centre has ten tennis courts and two squash courts.
Brines, Callum Collins Traveller - The Algarve (1993)
English law contains a strong presumption in favour of court proceedings being open to the public.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
There is also a court of justice.
Grenville, J. A. S. The Collins History of the World in the 20th Century (1994)
Or possibly sitting in the administrative court with a wig on my head.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
He was taken to hospital for evaluation and is expected to appear in court today.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
So what is the point of courting such unpopularity over tax credits for so little saving?
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The divorcee thanked the local crown court jury.
The Sun (2016)
Would the family courts get a better press if more open?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Next the court turned its attention to the liability of the church.
Christianity Today (2000)
He had an arts scholarship and painted huge oil canvases in a disused squash court.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
He had usually appeared at court that morning and had been remanded in custody.
Coyle, Andrew & Stern, Vivien The Prisons We Deserve (1994)
We took him to court for unjustifiable gains.
The Sun (2015)
They will provide a report to the court which the judges will consider.
Martin, April The Guide to Lesbian and Gay Parenting (1993)
They are sleeping overnight in the queue to guarantee tickets for the show courts the next day.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The club has tennis, badminton and squash courts and an indoor pool.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
They had this huge, huge house with a swimming pool and tennis courts.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Word lists with
court
tennis
In other languages
court
British English: court /kɔːt/ NOUN
law A court is a place where a judge and a jury decide if someone has done something wrong.
She appeared in court as a witness.
American English: court
Arabic: مَحْكَمَة
Brazilian Portuguese: tribunal
Chinese: 法院
Croatian: sud
Czech: soud
Danish: ret domstol
Dutch: rechtbank
European Spanish: juzgado
Finnish: oikeus oikeusistuin
French: tribunal
German: Gericht
Greek: δικαστήριο
Italian: tribunale
Japanese: 法廷
Korean: 법원
Norwegian: domstol
Polish: sąd
European Portuguese: tribunal
Romanian: instanță
Russian: суд
Latin American Spanish: juzgado
Swedish: domstol
Thai: ศาล
Turkish: mahkeme
Ukrainian: суд
Vietnamese: tòa án
British English: court /kɔːt/ NOUN
tennis A court is an area for playing a game such as tennis.
The hotel has several tennis courts.
American English: court
Arabic: ساحَةُ اللَّعِب
Brazilian Portuguese: quadra
Chinese: 球场
Croatian: igralište
Czech: kurt
Danish: bane
Dutch: veld
European Spanish: pista
Finnish: kenttä
French: terrainsport
German: Tennisplatz
Greek: γήπεδο
Italian: campo
Japanese: コート
Korean: 코트
Norwegian: bane
Polish: kort
European Portuguese: campo
Romanian: terende sport
Russian: корт
Latin American Spanish: cancha
Swedish: bana
Thai: สนาม
Turkish: kort
Ukrainian: корт
Vietnamese: sân
British English: court VERB
To court a particular person, group, or country means to try to please them or improve your relations with them, often so that they will do something that you want them to do.
Both parties are courting former supporters of the presidential candidate.
American English: court
Brazilian Portuguese: cortejar
Chinese: 讨好
European Spanish: ganarse
French: courtiser
German: werben um
Italian: corteggiare
Japanese: 機嫌を伺う
Korean: 비위 맞추다
European Portuguese: cortejar
Latin American Spanish: ganarse
All related terms of 'court'
law court
A law court is a place where legal matters are decided by a judge and jury or by a magistrate .
clay court
a tennis court with a playing surface topped by a layer of crushed shale , brick , or stone
court card
(in a pack of playing cards) a king, queen , or jack of any suit
court case
a legal action
court dance
a dignified dance for performance at a court
court dress
the formal clothing worn at court
court hand
a style of handwriting formerly used in English law courts
court-leet
a special kind of manorial court that some lords were entitled to hold
court order
a command by a court
court roll
the register of land holdings, etc, of a manorial court
court shoe
Court shoes are women's shoes that do not cover the top part of the foot and are usually made of plain leather with no design.
cross-court
played across the court
crown court
In England and Wales, a Crown Court is a court in which criminal cases are tried by a judge and jury rather than by a magistrate .
deuce court
the receiver's right-hand service court , into which the ball is served when the score is deuce
face court
A court is a place where legal matters are decided by a judge and jury or by a magistrate .
food court
an area, as in an enclosed shopping center , with fast-food stalls surrounding tables and chairs for common use
front court
a courtyard in front of a building, as one in a filling station
grass court
a tennis court covered with grass
hard court
a tennis court made of asphalt , concrete , etc
High Court
In England and Wales, the High Court is a court of law which deals with very serious or important cases .
hold court
to be surrounded by people who pay you a lot of attention because they consider you interesting or important
lower court
any court other than the highest court in a jurisdiction
moot court
a mock court trying hypothetical legal cases
open court
a court or trial to which members of the public are freely admitted
palm court
a large room, usually in a prestigious hotel , where functions are staged, notably tea dances
prize court
a court having jurisdiction to determine how property captured at sea in wartime is to be distributed
reach court
A court is a place where legal matters are decided by a judge and jury or by a magistrate .
royal court
The court of a king or queen is the place where he or she lives and carries out ceremonial or administrative duties .
tout court
simply ; briefly
trial court
the first court before which the facts of a case are decided
World Court
→ International Court of Justice
youth court
a court that deals with juvenile offenders and children beyond parental control or in need of care
Appeal Court
An appeal court is the same as a → Court of Appeal .
appeals court
An appeals court is the same as an → appellate court .
attend court
A court is a place where legal matters are decided by a judge and jury or by a magistrate .
centre court
the main court of a tennis complex , esp at Wimbledon
circuit court
a court with jurisdiction over several counties or districts within a state.
county court
A county court is a local court which deals with private disputes between people, but does not deal with serious crimes .
court action
a legal action
court battle
A battle is a conflict in which different people or groups compete in order to achieve success or control.
court hearing
an official meeting held in court
court martial
A court martial is a trial in a military court of a member of the armed forces who is charged with breaking a military law.
court plaster
a plaster , composed of isinglass on silk , formerly used to cover superficial wounds
court record
(in the US) a record of court proceedings
court ruling
a decision made by a court
court tennis
an ancient form of tennis played in a four-walled indoor court with various openings , a sloping-roofed corridor along three sides, and a buttress on the fourth side
Diplock court
in Northern Ireland , a court of law designed to try cases linked with terrorism . In order to prevent the intimidation of jurors , the court consists of a single judge and no jury
divorce court
a court that hears divorce proceedings and grants divorces
family court
a court that hears cases involving families and children
Federal court
a court which rules on cases involving the Constitution , federal laws and interstate crimes