noun
court
KAWT
noun
1
A place where legal cases are heard and judged, or the judge and officials who preside over such cases.
"The case will go to court next month."
"The court ruled in favor of the plaintiff."
2
A marked area for playing games such as tennis, basketball, or volleyball.
"They booked a tennis court for Saturday morning."
"The basketball court was packed with kids after school."
3
An open area enclosed by walls or buildings; a courtyard.
"The apartments were arranged around a shared court."
verb
1
To try to win someone's affection, favor, or business.
"The company has been courting investors for months."
"He courted her for over a year before proposing."
How to Use Court
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCan mean a law court, a sports playing area, an enclosed yard, or (as a verb) to actively try to win someone over.
Common pairings
go to court
tennis court
court someone's favor
court disaster
Word Forms
courted past tense, courts plural, courts singular
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Etymology
From Old French cort/curt, from Late Latin cōrs, related to Latin cohors — the same root that gives us "cohort."