district court

noun

: a trial court that has jurisdiction over certain cases within a specific judicial district

Examples of district 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 Star searched Kansas’ online district court database for other instances of hospitals, clinics, private practices and individual physicians who sent patients to collections in the last 30 years. — Kansas City Star, 11 Oct. 2026 The groups still await a resolution in the separate, district court case, in which the casino also challenged an arbitrator’s decision in the dispute. — Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026 The attorneys have also said the district court has no jurisdiction to enforce Keller’s city ordinances — that the city, as a home-rule municipality, has the sole authority to enact and enforce local laws. — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Oct. 2026 The court remanded that part of the case back to the district court, clearing the way for new trials for the men if prosecutors opt to pursue the case. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for district court

Word History

First Known Use

1731, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of district court was in 1731

Rhymes for district court

See All Rhymes for district court

Browse Nearby Words

district council
district court
district heating
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Cite this Entry

“District court.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/district%20court. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Legal Definition

district court

noun
often capitalized D&C
: a trial court having general or limited jurisdiction in a judicial district: as
a
: one of the federal trial courts sitting in a federal district
b
: a trial court within a state court system

More from Merriam-Webster on district court

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about district court

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