26984 words

courts

22 definitions • 31 examples
1
a place where trials and other legal cases happen, or the people present in such a place, especially the officials and those deciding if someone is guilty:

Examples:

Protestors gathered outside the court to await the verdict.
in court He's due to appear in court again on Monday.
Please describe to the court exactly what you saw.
go to court The lack of evidence means that the case is unlikely to go to court.
2
to take legal action against someone:

Examples:

She's threatening to take me to court for not paying the bill on time.
3
to solve a legal disagreement without taking legal action:

Examples:

The newspaper has agreed to settle out of court.
4
an area drawn out on the ground that is used for playing sports such as tennis and basketball:

Examples:

on the court They were penalized for having too many players on the court.
5
an area or a short road that is not covered by a roof and is mostly or completely surrounded by buildings:

Examples:

You really should go and see the medieval court in the castle.
6
used in the names of some roads, and buildings containing apartments
7
the official home of a queen or king:

Examples:

the courts of Renaissance Europe
at court He quickly lost his popularity at court.
8
the important people who live in the official home of a queen or king or who work for or advise them
9
to try to please someone because you want them to join you:

Examples:

Adams is being courted by a number of football clubs.
10
to try to get something, especially attention or support from other people:

Examples:

11
to risk something unpleasant, especially by behaving stupidly or carelessly:
12
to have a romantic relationship with someone that you hope to marry:

Examples:

They courted for two years before getting married.
13
the place where trials and other legal cases happen:

Examples:

[ U ] He is bringing charges against us and said, "I’ll see you in court."
[ U ] The newspaper agreed to settle the case out of court (= agreed to a deal that avoided a trial).
14
The court is the judge or judges who are in charge of the way a legal case happens and sometimes make decisions about it.
15
a rectangular area used as the playing area in some sports:

Examples:

16
to try to please someone in the hope of receiving that person's support, approval, or affection, or to try to get something that benefits you:

Examples:

Both candidates had been courting independent voters, who are likely to decide the election.
17
to increase the risk of something bad happening:

Examples:

If you hire people who are not very sharp or creative, you're courting disaster.
18
a room or building in which trials and legal cases are decided, or the group of people, including, for example, a judge and other officials, who listen to and make decisions on legal cases:

Examples:

Different courts are responsible for different types of cases.
Unless a solution can be reached, the case will go to court later this month.
The legality of electronic signatures is to be tested in court.
the court found/held The website was shut down after a US district court held that the copying of albums was a violation of copyright law.
court case/hearing/trial The court case is due to be heard next month.
19
to take legal action against someone:

Examples:

Unless they resolve the matter, I intend to take them to court.
20
to end a legal disagreement without taking legal action:

Examples:

The firm has agreed to settle out of court.
21
to try to attract people, especially in order get something from them, for example, attention or support:

Examples:

At this stage of a presidential race, candidates spend nearly all their time courting voters in their own party.
Traditionally, the company has courted customers aged 50 or over.
22
to formally discuss with another company the possibility of buying or getting control of it:

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