circuit court

noun

: a court that sits at two or more places within one judicial district

Examples of circuit court in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But the night before, Alston won an injunction in circuit court to enforce a provision of the contract that requires mediation if requested by one of the parties to help resolve differences before final decisions are made. Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026 Both campaigns sued in state circuit court, where a judge on Wednesday ruled for Hoskins in both cases. Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 21 Aug. 2026 Caruso referenced the incident in his 2013 divorce proceedings, filed in Palm Beach circuit court. Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026 The issue has split circuit courts, with the 9th Circuit (which Idaho is part of) and six other circuit courts rejecting the administration’s position. Idaho Statesman, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for circuit court

Word History

First Known Use

1708, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of circuit court was in 1708

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Cite this Entry

“Circuit court.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/circuit%20court. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

Legal Definition

circuit court

noun
: a court that sits in more than one place in a judicial district: as
a
: a state court usually with original jurisdiction and sometimes with appellate jurisdiction
b
: any of the federal courts of appeals
not used technically

Note: Before 1948, the U.S. Courts of Appeals were known as Circuit Courts of Appeals.

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