open court

noun

: a court that anyone is allowed to attend
He testified in open court.

Examples of open 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.
The following sequence, from the Wizards’ season finale in Miami, illustrates Sarr’s abilities to protect the rim, handle the ball in the open court and pass. Josh Robbins, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025 Diddy is expected to speak in open court before his sentence is handed down. Lauryn Overhultz , Tracy Wright , Maria Paronich , Kirill Clark, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025 After reviewing former Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen’s explanation of his abrupt resignation, a Hamilton County judge has agreed to block attorneys’ attempts to question the long-time head of the supermarket giant about his departure from the retailer in open court. Alexander Coolidge, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025 Jurors hear evidence in open court, deliberate with other citizens about the issues and return verdicts that reflect community standards, in ways that backroom deals and private arbitration cannot. Richard Lorren Jolly, The Conversation, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for open court

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Open court.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/open%20court. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

Legal Definition

open court

noun
1
: a recorded judicial proceeding that is presided over by a judge and attended by the parties and their attorneys and that is convened for the purpose of conducting official business compare in camera
2
: a session of a court that is open to the public
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!