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 of brothel

• bordello
• stew
• crib
• cathouse

Examples of brothel in a Sentence

the district is infamous for its brothels and drug dealers

Recent Examples on the Web

Among the chapters are Minnesota Identity, Red River Oxcarts, Upper Landing Industry, settlements of Germans, Bohemians, Italians and Irish, schools and brothels, Shepherd Road, West End Art and Entertainment and Community Reporter newspaper. —Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 15 Feb. 2026

Jetson said she and two other courtesans were fired after the brothel learned about the unionization effort. —Jessica Hill, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026

Jetson said she and two others were fired after the brothel learned about the unionization effort. —Jessica Hill, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026

Built around the 1st century CE, the brothel includes a ground-floor reception area and bathing pool, with an upper story for entertaining clients. —Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026

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