brothel

noun

broth·​el ˈbrä-thəl  ˈbrȯ- 

 also  -t͟həl

plural brothels

: a business establishment where sex workers are available for hire

For recreation, there were bars, after-hours joints, pool halls, strip joints, brothels, and transient motels.

—Darlene Nall

Elizaveta is happy to become the madam of a high-class brothel.

—Jonathan Fast

In the brutal red-light district of Chicago, at the dawn of the 20th century, most brothels emphasized "efficiency instead of fantasy."

—Ada Calhoun

Synonyms

• bagnio
• bawdy house
• bordello
• cathouse
• disorderly house
• sporting house
• stew
• whorehouse

Examples of brothel in a Sentence

the district is infamous for its brothels and drug dealers

Recent Examples on the Web

But now all the food at the brothel is taste-tested. —Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 15 Apr. 2025

Wharton and Nick politely pass, but Lawrence – as the man of the hour – has no choice but to head to the brothel. —Matt Cabral, EW.com, 15 Apr. 2025

When Lakan goes to the brothel, he is allowed to hear the sound of Fengxian’s lullaby from the annex where she is kept. —Kayti Burt, Time, 2 Apr. 2025

Actually, the Madam and other women at the brothel have taken on the responsibility of caring for an ailing Fengxian, who is unable to take care of herself let alone a child. —Kayti Burt, Time, 2 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, worthless fellow, prostitute, from brothen, past participle of brethen to waste away, go to ruin, from Old English brēothan to waste away; akin to Old English brēotan to break — more at brittle

First Known Use

1566, in the meaning defined above