supreme court: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, Legal, Academic, Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “supreme court” mean?
The highest judicial court in a nation or state, typically having the ultimate authority to interpret and apply the law.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The highest judicial court in a nation or state, typically having the ultimate authority to interpret and apply the law.
A term used metaphorically for the highest authority or final arbiter in a given field or organization.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, the Supreme Court was established in 2009, replacing the Appellate Committee of the House of Lords as the highest court. In the US, the Supreme Court is a foundational institution established by the Constitution.
Connotations
UK: A relatively new, separate branch of government. US: A powerful, long-established co-equal branch of government (executive, legislative, judicial) with significant cultural and political weight.
Frequency
High frequency in both varieties due to political and legal reporting. Slightly more culturally pervasive in American media.
Grammar
How to Use “supreme court” in a Sentence
The Supreme Court + verb (ruled, heard, decided)A + adjective + Supreme Court + noun (decision, justice)Before/in/at the Supreme CourtVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “supreme court” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The Supreme Court will hear the appeal next term.
- It was a landmark Supreme Court judgement.
American English
- The Supreme Court is reviewing the lower court's decision.
- She was appointed to the Supreme Court.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The Supreme Court's ruling on the patent will affect the entire industry.
Academic
The paper analyzes the doctrinal shift in the Supreme Court during the 1960s.
Everyday
The case is going all the way to the Supreme Court.
Technical
Certiorari was denied by the Supreme Court, letting the appellate decision stand.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “supreme court”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “supreme court”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “supreme court”
- Using lowercase for the specific institution (e.g., 'the US supreme court').
- Using 'Supreme Court' without 'the' when it's required (e.g., 'The case reached Supreme Court').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is capitalized when referring to a specific, named court (e.g., the US Supreme Court, the Supreme Court of India). It can be in lowercase when used generically (e.g., 'the supreme court of a state').
The US Supreme Court is established by the Constitution and has the power of judicial review (to declare laws unconstitutional). The UK Supreme Court, established in 2009, is the final court of appeal but cannot strike down Acts of Parliament due to parliamentary sovereignty.
No, 'Supreme Court' is exclusively a noun phrase. You cannot 'supreme court' something.
A judge who sits on the Supreme Court. In the US, they are appointed for life. In the UK, they are appointed until retirement age.
The highest judicial court in a nation or state, typically having the ultimate authority to interpret and apply the law.
Supreme court is usually formal, legal, academic, journalistic in register.
Supreme court: in British English it is pronounced /sʊˌpriːm ˈkɔːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /sʊˌprim ˈkɔːrt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The ball is in the Supreme Court's court.”
- “A Supreme Court test case.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'SUPREME' = highest, 'COURT' = law. The highest law court.
Conceptual Metaphor
JUSTICE IS A SCALE (weighed by the Supreme Court); THE LAW IS A PYRAMID (Supreme Court at the apex).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a supreme court?