court
KAWT
Court (noun) means a place where legal cases are heard and judged, or the judge and officials who preside over such cases. Example: “The case will go to court next month.”
noun
1
A place where legal cases are heard and judged, or the judge and officials who preside over such cases.
"The case will go to court next month."
"The court ruled in favor of the plaintiff."
"The witness stood up and told the court what she had seen."
2
A marked area for playing games such as tennis, basketball, or volleyball.
"They booked a tennis court for Saturday morning."
"The basketball court was packed with kids after school."
"Sam practised serving on the empty court every evening."
3
An open area enclosed by walls or buildings; a courtyard.
"The apartments were arranged around a shared court."
"Children played in the stone court while their parents chatted nearby."
"A fountain stood in the middle of the quiet court."
verb
1
To try to win someone's affection, favor, or business.
"The company has been courting investors for months."
"He courted her for over a year before proposing."
"The café courts students by offering cheap coffee on Fridays."
How to use court
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCan mean a law court, a sports playing area, an enclosed yard, or (as a verb) to actively try to win someone over.
Common pairings
go to court
tennis court
court someone's favor
court disaster
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Word forms
- Plural
- courts
- Third person singular
- courts
- Past tense
- courted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The case will go to _____ next month.
Etymology
From Old French cort/curt, from Late Latin cōrs, related to Latin cohors — the same root that gives us "cohort."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for court
See all rhymes for court →Frequently asked questions
What does “court” mean?
The word “court” means a place where legal cases are heard and judged, or the judge and officials who preside over such cases. In plain terms, can mean a law court, a sports playing area, an enclosed yard, or (as a verb) to actively try to win someone over.
How do you pronounce “court”?
“Court” is pronounced KAWT (/ˈkɔɹt/ in IPA).
How do you use “court” in a sentence?
Here is “court” used in a sentence: “The case will go to court next month.”
What part of speech is “court”?
Depending on how it is used, “court” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “court” come from?
The word “court” comes from Late Latin. From Old French cort/curt, from Late Latin cōrs, related to Latin cohors — the same root that gives us "cohort.".
Is “court” a common word?
“Court” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “court” have?
“Court” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a place where legal cases are heard and judged, or the judge and officials who preside over such cases.
What is the difference between a court and a courtroom?
A courtroom is the physical room where a case is heard. A court is broader: it can mean the institution and its legal authority, the judge and officials who preside, or the building itself. So a single courthouse may contain several courtrooms, but the court is the body that hears and decides the case.
What are the types of court?
Legal systems have many kinds. Criminal courts handle offences against the law, while civil courts settle disputes between people or organisations. Higher up sit appeal courts, which review earlier decisions, and a supreme or high court as the final authority. Specialist courts also exist for family, small claims, and other matters.
What is the difference between a court and a tribunal?
Both hear cases and make binding decisions, but a court is part of the main judicial system and handles a wide range of law. A tribunal is usually more specialised and less formal, dealing with specific areas such as employment or immigration. Tribunals often aim to be quicker and more accessible than ordinary courts.
What is an example of court?
You might read that 'the case went to court' or that 'the court found the defendant guilty.' In the first, court means the legal process and place; in the second, it means the judge and officials who reached the verdict. Both senses are common in everyday and legal English.
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