courts

word · lemma: court

/ˈkɔɹts/
kawrts
/kˈɔːts/
kawts

Definition

A court can be a place where legal cases are decided by a judge, or an area where sports like tennis or basketball are played. "Courts" is the plural form.

Usage & Nuances

Most often, the meaning is clear from context: "go to court" is legal, while "tennis court" or "basketball court" is sports. In American English, "court" is common in sports venue names; for the legal meaning, it often appears in phrases like "court order," "court case," and "Supreme Court."

Example Sentences

The courts are closed on Sunday.

basic

Children are playing on the basketball courts.

basic

The city has two tennis courts.

basic

The lower courts agreed with the judge's decision.

natural

These public courts get really busy after work.

natural

The case could end up in the courts for years.

natural