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.

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Etymology

Origin of circuit court

An Americanism dating back to 1700–10

Example Sentences

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

Moderna will appeal to a federal circuit court, arguing limited liability as a government contractor, with a potential $1.3 billion payment.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 3, 2026

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

From MarketWatch • Feb. 18, 2026

Digging further, Lindell’s brief to the circuit court claims that I didn’t do a full or correct analysis of the data that he presented at his symposium.

From Slate • Sep. 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