district court

noun

: a trial court that has jurisdiction over certain cases within a specific judicial district

Examples of district 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.
The district court does not intend to act until the election is long past. — Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 June 2026 Roberts retired after working at the district court since 1981. — Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 24 June 2026 The court said the district courts had likely exceeded their authority. — Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 30 June 2026 So far, nine district courts have dismissed the lawsuits filed against the states, including the Justice Department's case in Michigan. — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for district court

Word History

First Known Use

1731, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of district court was in 1731

Rhymes for district court

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Browse Nearby Words

district council
district court
district heating
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Cite this Entry

“District court.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/district%20court. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Legal Definition

district court

noun
often capitalized D&C
: a trial court having general or limited jurisdiction in a judicial district: as
a
: one of the federal trial courts sitting in a federal district
b
: a trial court within a state court system

More from Merriam-Webster on district court

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about district court

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