supreme court

noun

variants often Supreme Court
Synonyms of supreme courtnext
1
: the highest judicial tribunal in a political unit (such as a nation or state)
2
: a court of original jurisdiction in New York state subordinate to a final court of appeals

Examples of supreme court in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Other impacts There could be ramifications sooner than 2028 for state legislative maps that include state house, state senate and state supreme court districts, potentially impacting who voters -- including minority voters -- are represented by in their statehouses and state courts. Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 1 May 2026 The state supreme court's decision, however, did not hinge on SB21. Garrett Downs, CNBC, 1 May 2026 Justices for the state supreme court are also chosen in this way. Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026 The state supreme court heard Fravel’s appeal back in January, where his attorney Greg Scanlan argued the evidence against Fravel was insufficient for a first-degree murder conviction. Sydney Mook, Twin Cities, 30 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for supreme court

Word History

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of supreme court was in 1686

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Cite this Entry

“Supreme court.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supreme%20court. Accessed 4 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

supreme court

noun
: the highest court in a political unit (as the U.S. or one of its states)

Legal Definition

supreme court

noun
su·​preme court
1
: the highest court in a nation or state
specifically, capitalized S&C : the highest court in the judicial branch of the U.S. government that has original jurisdiction over controversies involving ambassadors or other ministers or consuls but whose main activity is as the court of last resort exercising appellate jurisdiction over cases involving federal law
2
capitalized S&C : a court of original jurisdiction in New York

Note: The court of last resort in New York is the Court of Appeals.

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