Courts
/kɔːrts/
Definitions
4 meaningsA place where legal proceedings are held and justice is administered.
/kɔːrts/
A place where legal matters are decided.
The defendant was found guilty in the courts.
💡 Simply: Courts are like special rooms where judges and lawyers make big decisions about rules and laws. If someone breaks a rule, they might go to court to talk about it.
👶 For kids: The place where people go when they want to figure out if someone did something wrong and what should happen.
More Examples
The case was appealed to a higher courts.
The courts system is often slow.
How It's Used
"The suspect will appear in the courts next week."
"The Supreme Courts is the highest court in the land."
The people involved in a legal setting, including the judge, lawyers, and jury.
/kɔːrts/
The people present in a legal setting.
The courts heard the evidence and reached a verdict.
💡 Simply: When we say 'the courts,' we're talking about all the people in the courtroom: the judge, the lawyers, the people on the jury, everyone!
👶 For kids: When we say the "courts," it means everyone who is in the courtroom to help decide about the law.
More Examples
The courts had a busy schedule due to the number of cases.
The courts were tasked with interpreting the law.
How It's Used
"The courts was filled with supporters of the defendant."
An area marked out for playing a specific game, such as tennis, basketball, or badminton.
/kɔːrts/
An area for playing a game.
The tennis courts are well-maintained.
💡 Simply: A court is like the playground for a sport. Think of a tennis court, basketball court, or badminton court. That's where the games are played!
👶 For kids: A special place where people play games like tennis or basketball.
More Examples
The basketball courts were crowded.
She spent hours practicing on the courts.
How It's Used
"They met on the tennis courts for the final match."
"The basketball courts were busy with players."
The official residence and surrounding establishment of a monarch or head of state, often including their advisors, family, and other staff.
/kɔːrts/
The residence of a sovereign or other head of state.
Diplomats were sent to the courts of Europe.
💡 Simply: The court is like the King's or Queen's house, and all the important people around them. They make decisions and have fancy parties.
👶 For kids: The castle or house where the king, queen, or ruler lives.
More Examples
The intrigue at the imperial courts was intense.
He lived at the court for many years.
How It's Used
"He was appointed as a diplomat to the courts of Europe."
Idioms & expressions
in court
In a legal setting, at a trial.
"She testified in court."
out of court
Settled outside of a formal legal setting, often through negotiation or compromise.
"They reached an out-of-court settlement to avoid a trial."
From Old French *cort*, derived from Latin *cors, cortis*, meaning 'enclosure' or 'yard'. This evolved to describe the location where justice was administered and then to the formal process itself. It also developed to describe the place where royalty lived.
The term 'courts' has been used in legal contexts for centuries, reflecting the evolution of legal systems. Also used to refer to the residences of royal members.
Memory tip
Think of the 'court' as a place where important rules are debated and decisions are made.
Word Origin
"enclosure, yard, or court"