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

Former Harford County Council member Aaron Penman inched closer Friday to potentially being returned to his former seat during a hearing in circuit court. —Bryan P. Sears, Baltimore Sun, 29 May 2026

One case, regarding the board of supervisors' issuing a special use permit for the aviary, went to the Virginia Supreme Court and was returned to a circuit court judge, who has not yet issued a decision. —Dana Hedgpeth The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 24 May 2026

In 2010, Driscoll’s ex-wife was granted a temporary order of protection against him from an Independence circuit court after making a formal legal accusation of adult abuse, according to court records. —Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 20 May 2026

What Happens Next The case now returns to the circuit court, where prosecutors must prepare to retry Alex Murdaugh for the murders of his wife and son. —Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1708, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for circuit court

• heliport
• nonsupport
• reexport
• teleport
• ultrashort
• abort
• airport
• alport
• athwart
• carport
• comport
• consort

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.