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Synonyms

court order

American  

noun

  1. any rule or regulation of a court with which one must comply or risk a contempt action.

Etymology

Origin of court order

First recorded in 1640–50

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.

Although a judge awarded a court order for Rongmala to take possession of the property, only court-appointed bailiffs can remove a tenant.

From BBC • Apr. 27, 2026

This time, he added a court order to back up his demand for payment, which meant the city would have to pay $40 extra, more than doubling the amount they owed, records show.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

It can also withhold your tax refund and Social Security benefits without a court order.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 11, 2026

WASHINGTON—The Defense Department violated a court order to restore Pentagon access for journalists, a federal judge ruled on Thursday, a setback for the Trump administration.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

“Tomorrow the national guard’s going to show up here with a court order and carry him out like a hero,” Pedro Tercero said.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.