district court

American  

noun

U.S. Law.

1. (in many states) the court of general jurisdiction.

2. the federal trial court sitting in each district of the United States.

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district court British  

noun

1. (in Scotland) a court of summary jurisdiction held by a stipendiary magistrate or one or more justices of the peace to deal with minor criminal offences

2. 1. a federal trial court serving a federal judicial district

   2. (in some states) a court having general jurisdiction in a state judicial district

3. Former name: magistrates' court.  (in Australia and New Zealand) a court lower than a high court

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Etymology

Origin of district court

An Americanism dating back to 1780–90

Example Sentences

The district court disagreed with Mississippi, holding that private citizens could bring these suits, and it found a VRA violation.

From Slate • May 19, 2026

The construction-equipment complaint is filed in the same northern Illinois district court as the farm-equipment case.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

Judges at a district court in Hanover ruled in his favour, and said the family of four were entitled to a larger refund on their package holiday as it had been "defective".

From BBC • May 6, 2026

The orders, which were issued by third district court commissioner Russell Minas, are in place for three years and require Paul and Mortensen to stay at least 100 feet away from each other.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026

The driver’s grandfather had recently retired as a district court judge, which gave the accident an extra public layer.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel