poorhouse

noun

poor·​house ˈpu̇r-ˌhau̇s How to pronounce poorhouse (audio)
ˈpȯr-
: a place maintained at public expense to house needy or dependent persons

Examples of poorhouse in a Sentence

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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.
Launched in 2024, MICAS occupies restored 17th-century Floriana fortifications, a former Knights-era poorhouse, and a gunpowder store in Malta’s Baroque capital city Valletta. — The Editors Of Artnews, ARTnews.com, 27 July 2026 Those who lived past that age tended to be too disabled to work, leaving them reliant on their children, if not a local charity or poorhouse. — Marc Novicoff, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026 To be sure, the candidates who want to unseat Moskowitz aren’t in the political poorhouse. — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 18 July 2026 Then again, with a market cap of about $405 billion, last week’s audience-deficiency shuffle isn’t about to send Netflix to the poorhouse. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 1 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for poorhouse

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1579, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of poorhouse was circa 1579

Rhymes for poorhouse

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Browse Nearby Words

poor farm
poorhouse
poori
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Cite this Entry

“Poorhouse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poorhouse. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

poorhouse

noun
poor·​house ˈpu̇(ə-)r-ˌhau̇s How to pronounce poorhouse (audio)
ˈpō(ə)r-
: a place maintained at public expense to house poor people
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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