criminal court

noun

Synonyms of criminal courtnext
: a court that has jurisdiction to try and punish offenders against criminal law

Examples of criminal court in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The plan prompted European soccer’s governing body to threaten to bring a complaint to criminal court. — New York Times, 13 Oct. 2026 Her directive contradicts state law, which since 2023 has required judges to livestream most criminal court proceedings except under particular circumstances. — Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 7 Oct. 2026 As charges of lewd and lascivious behavior against a Coral Gables personal injury attorney remain pending in criminal court, professional consequences have begun. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026 They were released on Friday morning after an arraignment in Manhattan criminal court. — John Miller, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for criminal court

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of criminal court was in 1605

Cite this Entry

“Criminal court.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criminal%20court. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Legal Definition

criminal court

noun
: a court that has jurisdiction to try criminal defendants

More from Merriam-Webster on criminal court

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