Hold court

verb

Definitions

Verb
  1. 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.

    "[T]his was one of the anterooms off the main throneroom in which the king was accustomed to hold court with his entire retinue."

  2. 2
    To convene or preside over a trial or other legal proceeding in a court of law.

    "Bean held court in an outhouse, the prisoner seated on a bale of flint hides. Bean was not only judge but prosecutor, as well as counsel for the defense."

  3. 3
    To serve as the principal discussant or center of attention in an informal gathering of friends, associates, etc. broadly, idiomatic

    "She was the centre of a very brilliant group, a most beautiful woman holding court, as was only right and proper, among her admirers."

Next best steps

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: holdcourt