docket

1 of 2

noun

dock·​et ˈdä-kət How to pronounce docket (audio)
1
: a brief written summary of a document : abstract
2
a(1)
: a formal abridged record of the proceedings in a legal action
(2)
: a register of such records
b(1)
: a list of legal causes to be tried
also : the caseload of a court or judge
(2)
: a calendar of business matters to be acted on : agenda
3
: an identifying statement about a document placed on its outer surface or cover

docket

2 of 2

verb

docketed; docketing; dockets

transitive verb

1
: to place on the docket for legal action
2
: to make a brief abstract of (something, such as a legal matter) and inscribe it in a list
3
: to inscribe (something, such as a document) with an identifying statement

Examples of docket in a Sentence

Noun The judge had to postpone some of the cases on the docket. on the Broadway docket for the early part of this season
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.
Noun
The court ordered that Roberts be detained and was advised that an immigration detainer has been lodged, according to the docket. Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2025 The docket inside the Indianapolis Immigration Court displayed dozens of cases scheduled hours after the governement shutdown, but the halls and courtrooms of the federal building were relatively empty. Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
The Justice Department’s petition has been shared with lawyers for parties challenging the order, but is not yet docketed at the Supreme Court. Preston Fore, Fortune, 27 Sep. 2025 Florida Supreme Court case SC1960-78605 shows the case originated in the Circuit Court for the Tenth Judicial Circuit in Polk County, with the mandatory death penalty appeal docketed on September 16, 1991. Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for docket

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English doggette

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of docket was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Docket.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/docket. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

docket

1 of 2 noun
dock·​et ˈdäk-ət How to pronounce docket (audio)
1
: a list of legal cases to be tried
2
: a list of items to be acted on : agenda

docket

2 of 2 verb
: to place on the docket for legal action

Legal Definition

docket

1 of 2 noun
dock·​et ˈdä-kət How to pronounce docket (audio)
1
a
: a formal abridged record of the proceedings (as motions, orders, and judgments) in a legal action
the clerk shall keep a docket in each caseU.S. Code
b
: a register of such records
2
a
: a list of legal actions to be heard by a court
the nearly 500 such cases on court docketsRorie Sherman
compare calendar
b
: the caseload of a court
a great part of our docket consisted of regulatory agency casesR. H. Bork

docket

2 of 2 transitive verb
: to enter in a docket (as of a case or a court)
closure motions must be docketed sufficiently in advanceW. R. LaFave and J. H. Israel
compare calendar
Etymology

Noun

earlier doggette, docquet summary, abstract, of unknown origin

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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