superior court

noun

1

: a court of general jurisdiction intermediate between the inferior courts (such as a justice of the peace court) and the higher appellate courts

2

: a court with juries having original jurisdiction

Examples of superior court in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Nichelle Holmes, a Contra Costa County superior court judge who lives in Fairfield, lost her two twin daughters Elizabeth and Jacqueline to the disease, one who died of complications just last October. —Jane Tyska, Mercury News, 25 June 2025

Supervisors on Tuesday approved making their pay commensurate with what state superior court judges make, which is currently $244,000 annually. —Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 24 June 2025

In California, superior court judges are elected by county voters to six-year terms on nonpartisan ballots. —Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2025

Kling is scheduled to appear in superior court for the first time Friday afternoon, though details about the hearing are not immediately available. —Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 2 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1584, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for superior court

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

Legal Definition

superior court

noun

often capitalized S&C

1

: a court of general jurisdiction intermediate between the inferior courts and the higher appellate courts

2

: a court having original jurisdiction and conducting jury trials