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

Legal experts predict that the conflicting circuit court decisions on digital surveillance warrants will likely force the Supreme Court to weigh in. —Lars Daniel, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025

The three circuit court judges handing down the Nguyen opinion were John B. Owens, nominated by Democratic President Barack Obama, and Bridget S. Bade and Danielle J. Forrest, nominated by Republican President Donald Trump. —The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 25 June 2025

The Senate teed up its next major confirmation battle as the Judiciary Committee weighed the nomination of Emil Bove, President Trump’s former personal defense attorney, for a lifetime circuit court judgeship. —Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 25 June 2025

In a 12-page order issued late last week, U.S. District Court Judge Karen E. Schreier remanded South Dakota’s case back to the state circuit court, where it had originally been filed. —Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 31 Mar. 2025

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.