courthouse

noun

court·​house ˈkȯrt-ˌhau̇s 

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

Dale Ellis covers the federal courthouse beat for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, reporting on criminal and civil matters that impact Arkansans. —Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026

Adams County said that Brighton police are investigating the threat at the courthouse. —Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026

Federal courthouses, military bases, and some government offices may require a compliant ID. —Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 4 Feb. 2026

But the already-complex Super Bowl picture is further clouded by tensions and palpable fears about Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents descending on the area, stoking fear with immigrant communities who have seen more aggressive and visible ICE activity at South Bay courthouses and jails. —Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for courthouse

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

Kids Definition

courthouse

noun

court·​house ˈkō(ə)rt-ˌhau̇s 

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