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circuit court

American  

noun

  1. a court holding sessions at various intervals in different sections of a judicial district.

  2. (initial capital letters) the court of general jurisdiction in a number of U.S. states.


Etymology

Origin of circuit court

An Americanism dating back to 1700–10

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Moderna will appeal to a federal circuit court to argue that it has limited liability as a government contractor.

From Barron's • Mar. 4, 2026

The agreement needs approval from a circuit court in Missouri as Bayer is still seeking a U.S.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 18, 2026

South Carolina authorities investigating a fire at the home of a circuit court judge and a former Democratic state senator said there is no immediate evidence the blaze was intentional.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 6, 2025

Her effort to get Sauer on the record promising to abide by circuit court precedent did not quite work, but the solicitor general’s cheerful evasion spoke volumes.

From Slate • May 15, 2025

After those arrests, a local circuit court judge, James A. Hare, issued an injunction forbidding public gatherings of more than three people.

From "Because They Marched" by Russell Freedman