Phrase guide

hold court

verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To preside in a formal manner over an official assembly of courtiers and others in which entertainment is presented or affairs of state are considered.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To convene or preside over a trial or other legal proceeding in a court of law.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: law

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To serve as the principal discussant or center of attention in an informal gathering of friends, associates, etc.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: broadly, idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

14 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Esperanto: solene prezidi — To preside in a formal manner over an official assembly of courtiers
  • Finnish: pitää hovia — To preside in a formal manner over an official assembly of courtiers
  • Polish: królować — To preside in a formal manner over an official assembly of courtiers
  • Finnish: johtaa oikeudenkäyntiä — To convene or preside over a trial or other legal proceeding in a court of law
  • Polish: przewodniczyć — To convene or preside over a trial or other legal proceeding in a court of law
  • Polish: nadzorować — To convene or preside over a trial or other legal proceeding in a court of law
  • Polish: prezydować — To convene or preside over a trial or other legal proceeding in a court of law
  • Polish: prezesować — To convene or preside over a trial or other legal proceeding in a court of law
  • Finnish: pitää hovia — To serve as the principal discussant or center of attention in an informal gathering of friends, associates, etc.
  • French: tenir salon — To serve as the principal discussant or center of attention in an informal gathering of friends, associates, etc.
  • Italian: tenere banco — To serve as the principal discussant or center of attention in an informal gathering of friends, associates, etc.
  • Polish: brylować — To serve as the principal discussant or center of attention in an informal gathering of friends, associates, etc.
  • Polish: zabrylować — To serve as the principal discussant or center of attention in an informal gathering of friends, associates, etc.
  • Swedish: hålla hov — To serve as the principal discussant or center of attention in an informal gathering of friends, associates, etc.