1court 
/ˈkoɚt/ noun
plural courts /ˈkoɚt/ noun 1 a [noncount] : a formal legal meeting in which evidence about crimes, disagreements, etc., is presented to a judge and often a jury so that decisions can be made according to the law
▪ Court is now in session. ▪ Court is adjourned for the day. — often used before another noun ▪ a court battle/fight ▪ court cases/records/costs
b : a place where legal cases are heard [count] ▪ There was a large group of protesters outside the court. ▪ a lawyer who has appeared in courts around the country [noncount] ▪ His landlord threatened to take him to court. [=to start a lawsuit against him; to sue him] ▪ The organization is prepared to go to court [=to start a lawsuit] to stop construction from proceeding. ▪ They were able to settle/resolve the case out of court. [=without going to court]
c [count] : an official group of people (such as a judge and jury) who listen to evidence and make decisions about legal cases
▪ The case is before the state's highest court. ▪ She's a judge on an appellate court. ▪ state/federal courts ▪ The prosecution has new evidence to submit to the court. ▪ Please explain to the court what happened that night. ▪ The court ruled/declared the law unconstitutional. ▪ The court reversed/rejected the lower court's decision. 2 [count] : a large flat surface that is shaped like a square or rectangle and that is used for playing games like tennis and basketball
▪ a basketball/tennis court 3 a : the place where the leader of a country and especially a king or queen lives and works [count] ▪ the courts of Europe [noncount] ▪ He spent a lot of time at court.
b [count] : a king or queen and the people who live and work with him or her
▪ The queen assembled her court. ▪ a member of the king's court 4 [count] a — used in the names of short streets ▪ My sister lives on Brynhurst Court. — abbr. Ct.
b — used in the names of apartment buildings or groups of apartment buildings ▪ I live in the Franklin Court apartments on Main Street. — see also motor court
c : courtyard
▪ the villa's inner court ▪ an interior court garden — see also food court
▪ Court is now in session. ▪ Court is adjourned for the day. — often used before another noun ▪ a court battle/fight ▪ court cases/records/costs
b : a place where legal cases are heard [count] ▪ There was a large group of protesters outside the court. ▪ a lawyer who has appeared in courts around the country [noncount] ▪ His landlord threatened to take him to court. [=to start a lawsuit against him; to sue him] ▪ The organization is prepared to go to court [=to start a lawsuit] to stop construction from proceeding. ▪ They were able to settle/resolve the case out of court. [=without going to court]
c [count] : an official group of people (such as a judge and jury) who listen to evidence and make decisions about legal cases
▪ The case is before the state's highest court. ▪ She's a judge on an appellate court. ▪ state/federal courts ▪ The prosecution has new evidence to submit to the court. ▪ Please explain to the court what happened that night. ▪ The court ruled/declared the law unconstitutional. ▪ The court reversed/rejected the lower court's decision.
▪ a basketball/tennis court
b [count] : a king or queen and the people who live and work with him or her
▪ The queen assembled her court. ▪ a member of the king's court
b — used in the names of apartment buildings or groups of apartment buildings ▪ I live in the Franklin Court apartments on Main Street. — see also motor court
c : courtyard
▪ the villa's inner court ▪ an interior court garden — see also food court
hold court
: to talk to a group of people who listen to what you say because it is funny or interesting
▪ The restaurant's owner was holding court at his usual table in the corner.
▪ The restaurant's owner was holding court at his usual table in the corner.
laugh out of court — see 1laugh
pay court to
formal + old-fashioned : to give a lot of attention to (someone) in order to get approval, affection, etc.
▪ He does not approve of the young man who has been paying court to his daughter. [=who has been courting his daughter]
▪ He does not approve of the young man who has been paying court to his daughter. [=who has been courting his daughter]
the ball is in your court — see 1ball
the court of public/world opinion
: the beliefs and judgment of most people
▪ The statement was quickly condemned in the court of public opinion. [=was condemned by the public]
▪ The statement was quickly condemned in the court of public opinion. [=was condemned by the public]
