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.
While leaving the courthouse, the mayor would not respond to questions about his potential resignation. — Matt Schooley, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026 Outside the courthouse, Harold Solis, an immigration attorney with the nonprofit Make the Road New York, criticized the ICE officers' actions. — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026 The theater was auctioned off on the Miami-Dade County courthouse steps. — David Goodhue october 9, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026 The library next to the courthouse was closed as a result of the incident. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 8 Oct. 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 14 Oct. 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
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