courts 1 of 2

Definition of courtsnext
plural of court
1
as in palaces
the residence of a ruler Hampton Court was the imposing residence of King Henry VIII

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2
as in courtyards
an open space wholly or partly enclosed (as by buildings or walls) the art museum boasts a glass-sided court that is filled with an array of greenery and sculpture

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3
4
as in judges
a public official having authority to decide questions of law if it please the court, I'd like to approach the bench

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courts

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of court
1
as in woos
to act so as to make (something) more likely you're courting disaster if you keep playing with matches

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2
as in dates
to go on dates that may eventually lead to marriage they courted for a year before getting married

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of courts
Noun
Trump faces the lowest approval ratings yet in his second term, and much of his global tariff regime has been struck down in courts. Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 13 May 2026 Other amenities include flushing toilets and hot showers, an RV dumping station, a playground, and basketball and volleyball courts. Anna Laird Barto, Travel + Leisure, 13 May 2026 Does this mean that the courts are effectively hamstrung for several weeks from the start of early voting to Election Day? Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 13 May 2026 The group obtained the data via a Freedom of Information Act request from the Executive Office for Immigration Review, the federal agency that oversees the nation's immigration courts. Laura Romero, ABC News, 12 May 2026 What else is going on Commentary and opinions Tom Steyer courts Latinos in Santa Ana. Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026 But local beach basketball players didn’t realize that the pickleball courts would replace the basketball courts until last April when the city posted a small sign about the change, sparking outrage. Amanda Rosa may 6, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026 Separate lawsuits challenging Louisiana’s primary delay remain in the lower courts, but even civil rights groups acknowledged the inevitability of the Supreme Court’s influence. Ella Lee, The Hill, 6 May 2026 The kids will gravitate to amenities like the lake resort’s four swimming pools, the Gull Lake inflatable waterpark, a water-skiing school, and a recreation center with pickleball courts, lawn bowling, shuffleboard, and croquet. Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 6 May 2026
Verb
Biglari Holdings courts the MAHA movement The MAHA hire is the latest chapter in a long and turbulent saga for Biglari Holdings and its CEO Sardar Biglari, who took control of Steak ‘n Shake in 2008 when the chain was losing $100,000 a day. Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026 The ensemble cast includes Ellie Bamber as Eleanor’s sister, Beatrice, and Ed Suter as Edward’s loyal squire Richard, who courts Beatrice amid the escalating tragedy. Robert Lang, Deadline, 27 Dec. 2025 Fox News, which courts an older linear audience, has put new focus on its reach via YouTube, X, TikTok and Instagram, among other venues. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 15 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for courts
Noun
  • Nilan would graduate from that puddle to Catholic Memorial to Northeastern to the great hockey palaces of his day, the Montreal Forum, Madison Square Garden and Boston Garden.
    Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 2 May 2026
  • The canal is lined on either side by palaces, churches, hotels and other public buildings, with 4 bridges across it.
    Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • In addition, the library’s courtyards have been enhanced, with a ceremony celebrating their public reopening set for May 21.
    Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
  • One-bedroom suites start at 860 square feet and include separate living areas and oversized bathrooms, while villas offer full kitchens and private courtyards with plunge pools.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 May 2026
Noun
  • But through a series of deft legal maneuvers—joined to the ever more ambitious self-concepts of some international legal tribunals—Mauritius was able to win a second legal victory at another international tribunal, for the law of the sea.
    David Frum, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026
  • The position will also represent the department in front of administrative tribunals such as the State Personnel Board and the California Department of Human Resources as well as assist the attorney general’s office on civil litigation matters.
    Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado Updated February 24, Sacbee.com, 24 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The judges face a ticking clock as local election clerks prepare to finalize ballots for the August primaries by May 26 and decisions in the three cases are likely to come quickly.
    Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 10 May 2026
  • Marquee judges there included some of the biggest names in the industry, such as Stephanie Macleod – the legendary master blender for Dewar’s – and Billy Leighton, the iconic longtime blender at Jameson Irish Whiskey.
    Brad Japhe, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
Verb
  • As the President insults allies, woos dictators, and spurns long-standing commitments, Rubio has to convince his counterparts that America will not entirely abandon its friends.
    Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Peacock has announced fall premiere dates for Season 2 of The Office follow-up mockumentary The Paper, Friday the 13th prequel series Crystal Lake and crime drama series The Good Daughter.
    Denise Petski, Deadline, 11 May 2026
  • The penultimate day’s lunch stop at Castello di Spessa, of which some of the construction dates back to the 13th century.
    Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 11 May 2026
Noun
  • The enclosures are Direct Attached Storage devices and able to support software RAID configurations, including RAID 0 for maximum performance, RAID 1 for redundancy and data protection or RAID 10 for a balance of speed and reliability.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
  • Holstein calves, a popular dairy breed, could be seen in cages through small trees in front of the enclosures.
    Susanne Rust Follow, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
Noun
  • Judge Amanda Tipples, who was assisted by two magistrates, said that the initial report made by Brooks did not mention damage to the phone, but referred to harassment instead.
    ABC News, ABC News, 1 May 2026
  • In 16th-century Italy, gamblers could wager on the election of civic magistrates and the outcome of papal conclaves.
    Parker Bach, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Courts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/courts. Accessed 16 May. 2026.

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