courthouse

noun

court·​house ˈkȯrt-ˌhau̇s How to pronounce courthouse (audio)
1
a
: a building in which courts of law are regularly held
b
: the principal building in which county offices are housed
2
: county seat

Examples of courthouse in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
At times a speakeasy and a brothel, the bar used to have tunnels under the building that ran to the local courthouse. — Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 31 July 2026 After a May court hearing, Moreno alleged that Miller insulted Zashin's fiancee in front of witnesses at an Ohio courthouse, and alleged that after a hearing this week the congressman physically grabbed Zashin and another attorney. — Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 31 July 2026 The reporting requirement follows years of debate over courthouse immigration enforcement and concerns that such arrests may discourage people from seeking protection through the courts. — Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026 The driver brings the baby to friends partying in a night club; his quandary yields existential debate in a police station, a portrait of a courthouse’s bureaucratic frenzy, and a heartrending documentary vision of an orphanage. — Rhoda Feng, New Yorker, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for courthouse

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of courthouse was in the 15th century

Rhymes for courthouse

See All Rhymes for courthouse

Browse Nearby Words

court holy water
courthouse
courtier
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Cite this Entry

“Courthouse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/courthouse. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

courthouse

noun
court·​house ˈkō(ə)rt-ˌhau̇s How to pronounce courthouse (audio)
ˈkȯ(ə)rt-
: a building in which courts of law are held or county offices are located

Legal Definition

courthouse

noun
court·​house
: a building in which court is regularly held

More from Merriam-Webster on courthouse

Nglish: Translation of courthouse for Spanish Speakers

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