abbreviation
SCOTUS
SKOH-tuhs
SCOTUS (abbreviation) means the Supreme Court of the United States, the highest court in the American federal system and the final authority on what the Constitution means. Example: “SCOTUS declined to hear the appeal, letting the lower court's ruling stand.”
abbreviation
1
The Supreme Court of the United States, the highest court in the American federal system and the final authority on what the Constitution means.
"SCOTUS declined to hear the appeal, letting the lower court's ruling stand."
"The case is expected to reach SCOTUS next term."
How to use SCOTUS
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAmerica's highest court.
When to use it
Journalistic shorthand; court documents and formal writing use the full name.
Memory tip
Written in capitals and treated as singular: SCOTUS has ruled, not SCOTUS have ruled.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
SCOTUS ruling
SCOTUS nominee
SCOTUS docket
before SCOTUS
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_____ declined to hear the appeal, letting the lower court's ruling stand.
Etymology
An acronym of Supreme Court of the United States.
Synonyms
View more →
the Supreme Court
the high court
Rhymes for SCOTUS
See all rhymes for SCOTUS →Frequently asked questions
How many justices are on SCOTUS?
Nine: one Chief Justice and eight Associate Justices. The number is set by Congress rather than by the Constitution, and it has changed several times in American history, settling at nine since 1869.
What is the difference between SCOTUS and POTUS?
They are parallel acronyms for different branches. SCOTUS is the Supreme Court of the United States, the judicial branch; POTUS is the President of the United States, the executive branch. FLOTUS, the First Lady, follows the same pattern.
What is the meaning of SCOTUS?
"SCOTUS" (abbreviation) means the Supreme Court of the United States, the highest court in the American federal system and the final authority on what the Constitution means.
What is another word for SCOTUS?
Other words for "SCOTUS" include the Supreme Court, the high court.
