open court

noun

: a court that anyone is allowed to attend

He testified in open court.

Examples of open court in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Supreme Court upheld the reversals, and the three men later pleaded to voluntary manslaughter counts — resulting in them being paroled — under an agreement that required them to admit to being responsible for Tyree’s death in open court. —Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 27 Apr. 2026

The first day of his preliminary hearing, a mini-trial that will review evidence in open court, was set for May 1. —Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2026

Galindo led the team with 17 kills while Jean added 15 kills, including a standing swing from the back row that found open court for match point. —Justin Vigil Zuniga, Daily News, 14 Apr. 2026

Her decision to waive her right to anonymity and face her attackers in open court at the 2024 trial made her one of the 21st century’s most unlikely feminist icons and earned her worldwide respect. —Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Apr. 2026

Rhymes for open court

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

Legal Definition

open court

noun

1

: a recorded judicial proceeding that is presided over by a judge and attended by the parties and their attorneys and that is convened for the purpose of conducting official business compare in camera

2

: a session of a court that is open to the public