hold court

phrase

: to be the center of attention among friends or admirers

Examples of hold court in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For fans at home, the injury was almost entirely obscured on the CHSN broadcast as Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose held court as midgame guests, swapping headsets and cracking jokes about the referees. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 12 Nov. 2026

And Perhaps Big Mergers Among other big names at tonight’s dinner, Fast & Furious star Vin Diesel was holding court before the ceremony started at a table in the dead center. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 11 Nov. 2026

Earlier in the episode, Francis swung by Sweet Emily’s, where Frog was once again holding court, telling Ray and Marty about how the antiquities trade really works in Oklahoma. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2026

Earlier this year, Bad Bunny held court as the Super Bowl Halftime Show performer, celebrating his Puerto Rican heritage in the tradition of Latin America. — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 27 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1950, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hold court

• abort
• airport
• alport
• athwart
• carport
• comport
• consort
• deport
• disport
• distort
• escort
• exhort