circuit court

noun

: a court that sits at two or more places within one judicial district

Examples of circuit court in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But the decision sets up a circuit court split with rulings from the fifth and eighth circuits. —Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 28 Apr. 2026

Last week, there were reports in at least three other counties — Brevard, Leon and Palm Beach — that 2026 court elections were being canceled as resignations and retirements of circuit court judges, right before the qualifying period, created vacancies that mandate gubernatorial appointments. —Norine Dworkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026

Edwards is scheduled to be arraigned at the circuit court on May 18. —Nick Lentz, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026

Garcia Moran again appealed, and prosecutors abandoned the assault charge when the case reached the circuit court. —Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 19 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1708, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for circuit court

• heliport
• nonsupport
• reexport
• teleport
• ultrashort
• abort
• airport
• alport
• athwart
• carport
• comport
• consort

Legal Definition

circuit court

noun

: a court that sits in more than one place in a judicial district: as

a

: a state court usually with original jurisdiction and sometimes with appellate jurisdiction

b

: any of the federal courts of appeals

—not used technically

Note: Before 1948, the U.S. Courts of Appeals were known as Circuit Courts of Appeals.