almshouse

noun

alms·​house ˈä(l)mz-ˌhau̇s 

1

British : a privately financed home for the poor

2

: poorhouse

Examples of almshouse in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At that time, my grandmother was living in an almshouse—charitable community housing for independent elderly residents—in the plush neighborhood of Notting Hill. — Saba Sams, Vogue, 4 Mar. 2026

The Royal Institute of Architects (RIBA) praised its radical reimagining of the traditional almshouse, turning the senior housing project into something special. — New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2025

Many specimens in the museum were obtained during surgeries and autopsies at almshouses, prison wards, and military field hospitals; few were collected with a contemporary understanding of consent. — Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 23 June 2025

In the early 20th century, disabled and older people who needed help were relegated to almshouses, which were public institutions of last resort. — Kat McGowan, NPR, 20 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for almshouse

• alehouse
• backhouse
• baghouse
• bakehouse
• bathhouse
• bauhaus
• blockhouse
• boathouse
• brewhouse
• bunkhouse
• clubhouse
• courthouse

Kids Definition

almshouse

noun

alms·​house -ˌhau̇s 

: poorhouse