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

In that case, the district court held that Mr. Ream lacked standing, but the appeals panel asked for briefing on the merits.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

But, they’re committed on the high seas, so to the extent there’s jurisdiction at all, this falls under the authority of federal district court or federal military tribunals.

From Slate • Apr. 16, 2026

A D.C. district court blocked the provision requiring documentary proof of citizenship in October.

From Salon • Apr. 1, 2026

The trial at Oslo district court has lasted almost seven weeks and every day of evidence has been front-page news in Norway.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

Armstrong’s lawyers thus filed a motion asking the district court for discovery of the prosecutors’ files to support their claim of selective prosecution under the Fourteenth Amendment.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander