superior court
Americannoun
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the court of general jurisdiction found in many states of the United States.
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any court that has general jurisdiction above other courts.
noun
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(in England) a higher court not subject to control by any other court except by way of appeal See also Supreme Court of Judicature
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(in several states) a court of general jurisdiction ranking above the inferior courts and below courts of last resort
Etymology
Origin of superior court
An Americanism dating back to 1680–90
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.
The judge, 63, has served on the federal court since 2011, and spent the decade prior to that as a local superior court judge, having been appointed by President George W. Bush.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026
Just last month, a superior court judge in Santa Barbara County said prior intervention by the federal government wasn’t enough to undo an earlier order that kept the pipeline shut down.
From Barron's • Mar. 14, 2026
During a hearing at Los Angeles County superior court, the brothers apologised for their actions.
From BBC • Aug. 23, 2025
He said that was part of the reason why he chose Shawn Nelson, now a county superior court judge, as chief assistant district attorney when he first took office.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2025
Several ran for public office, and there were two superior court justices, one municipal court judge, two members of the California state legislature, and one prominent state official.
From "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell
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.
