a flat, marked-out area where certain sports such as tennis or basketball are played
They booked a tennis court for Saturday morning.
The players ran back onto the court after halftime.
✦ Extension of earlier sense “enclosed yard” applied to areas for games.
to try to win someone’s love by spending time with them and showing affection
He spent months courting her with letters and evening walks.
In some cultures, families play a role when a couple begins to court.
✦ Developed from the noun sense “court of a sovereign,” where suitors vied for favor; later broadened to romantic pursuit.
a place where a judge or group of judges hears legal cases and makes decisions
Reporters gathered outside the court waiting for the verdict.
After months of preparation, the lawyers presented their evidence in court.
✦ From Old French court, from Latin cortem “enclosed yard, tribunal”.
the king or queen’s household, advisers, and other important people, or the place where they meet
Music and dancing were regular entertainment at the royal court.
The emperor’s court moved from city to city during the summer.
✦ Middle English, from Old French curt, meaning “enclosed yard, residence of a sovereign”.
to try hard to get something you want, such as support, attention, or success
The candidate courted young voters with promises of climate action.
The company is courting foreign investors to fund its expansion.
✦ Extension of romantic sense to the general idea of seeking favor or advantage.
to behave in a way that is likely to bring about something bad, especially danger or criticism
Driving through the flooded road was courting disaster.
The outspoken journalist courts controversy with every article.
✦ Metaphorical use of “to court” meaning to invite something, good or bad.
the half of a basketball court that a team is defending, behind the mid-court line
The coach told his players to trap their opponents in the backcourt to force a turnover.
After grabbing the rebound, she sprinted through the backcourt before passing the ball over the center line.
✦ Formed from back, meaning rear or behind, + court, the playing area.
the guards on a basketball team, usually the point guard and the shooting guard, considered together
The Warriors' starting backcourt combined for sixty points last night.
With injuries to their backcourt, the team struggled to bring the ball up the floor.
✦ From the idea that guards usually play in the defensive, or back, part of the court.
the area at the far end of a tennis, badminton or similar court near and behind the baseline, away from the net
She prefers to rally from the backcourt and wait for the right moment to attack.
A deep lob sent him scrambling to the backcourt to keep the point alive.
✦ Back + court, referring to the rear portion of the playing area.
