cathouse

noun

cat·​house ˈkat-ˌhau̇s How to pronounce cathouse (audio)
plural cathouses
informal
: a place where prostitutes are available : brothel
Raymond's whorehouses helped the town's economy quite a bit. … I used to find out what the cathouses were like inside because I often went there to pick up drunks.Ron Strickland

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web While he’s recycled some material over the years, Springsteen busted out a truly outrageous new one last year that involved a Nevada cathouse, a lot of flatulence, and other bodily fluids. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 7 Sep. 2022 There was a cathouse in the apartment complex above it. Bruce Jenkins, San Francisco Chronicle, 16 Apr. 2022 The cathouse madam Billie (played with authority and delight by Kate Shindle) has more to do than before. Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cathouse.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cathouse was in 1882

Dictionary Entries Near cathouse

Cite this Entry

“Cathouse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cathouse. Accessed 25 Mar. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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