criminal court

noun

Synonyms of criminal courtnext
: a court that has jurisdiction to try and punish offenders against criminal law

Examples of criminal court in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Victims have expressed frustration over the Vatican’s silence on church proceedings involving priests convicted in criminal courts. — ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026 The chief prosecutor in local criminal courts – the titles vary, such as district attorney, prosecuting attorney, state’s attorney or county attorney – has enormous discretionary power over criminal law enforcement. — Ronald Wright, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026 The plan prompted European soccer’s governing body to threaten to bring a complaint to criminal court. — New York Times, 13 Oct. 2026 She is expected to face her federal charges in petty violations court in Brooklyn and to face two assault charges in criminal court in Queens, sources said. — Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for criminal court

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of criminal court was in 1605

Rhymes for criminal court

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Browse Nearby Words

criminal conversation
criminal court
criminal defamation
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Cite this Entry

“Criminal court.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criminal%20court. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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Legal Definition

criminal court

noun
: a court that has jurisdiction to try criminal defendants

More from Merriam-Webster on criminal court

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for criminal court

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about criminal court

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