supreme court

noun

often capitalized S&C

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

The last election for a spot on the Wisconsin Supreme Court – which took place in 2023 and also determined its partisan tilt — shattered fundraising records for a state supreme court election. —Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 5 Jan. 2025

The Oklahoma Charter School Board has filed a petition with the Supreme Court to have the state supreme court decision overturned, asking the justices to decide two main points. —Peter Greene, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024

The Nepali supreme court recently ordered a cap on permits for the mountain, for which the Nepali Department of Tourism is responsible for, but has yet to meaningfully enact. —Matt Coté, Outside Online, 28 Nov. 2024

The presidential election has been annulled by the nation's supreme court, and many Romanians are in shock. —David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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.