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

Two lawyers have lodged a lawsuit with the country's supreme court, The Guardian reported on Tuesday, in an attempt to cancel the company's concession to operate the two ports, which are located at both ends of the canal. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025

Brazil Reuters — Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro accused the country’s supreme court of persecuting him on Saturday after his appeal against a travel ban was rejected. —Reuters, CNN, 18 Jan. 2025

The supreme court of Ohio currently has a 4-3 Republican majority ... —Adam Mathews, National Review, 29 Oct. 2024

On Friday, the supreme court reversed the appellate court, deciding that Luebbers had followed state law on consecutive sentences. —Laura A. Bischoff, The Enquirer, 2 Nov. 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.