district court

noun

: a trial court that has jurisdiction over certain cases within a specific judicial district

Examples of district court in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

People can file a petition, signed by a district court judge, to extend the hours on Tuesday. —Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Jan. 2026

The books have since been returned to library shelves following a judge’s injunction in the district court case, which the school district had appealed. —Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 23 Jan. 2026

Kelly filed a lawsuit earlier this month in a district court to try to stop Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s efforts to demote his rank in retirement, insisting the inquiry unlawfully punished him for his speech and violated his due process. —Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 22 Jan. 2026

This week, global spectators read exhibits from a New York district court meant to bolster both sides in Lively’s lawsuit against Baldoni for harassment and retaliation. —Matt Donnelly, Variety, 22 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1731, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for district court

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

Legal Definition

district court

noun

often capitalized D&C

: a trial court having general or limited jurisdiction in a judicial district: as

a

: one of the federal trial courts sitting in a federal district

b

: a trial court within a state court system