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

Victims’ families argue they were not properly consulted, protesters have been filling courthouse steps demanding accountability, and lawmakers are calling for a grand jury review. —Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2025

Meanwhile, the case has gained steam in the headlines -- and gathered outraged demonstrators outside the Payne County courthouse. —Deborah Kim, ABC News, 10 Dec. 2025

Dale Ellis covers the federal courthouse beat for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, reporting on criminal and civil matters that impact Arkansans. —Arkansas Online, 10 Dec. 2025

Getty Images Jonathan Luna's autopsy Jonathan Luna left Baltimore's federal courthouse for the final time in his Honda through the security gate on Hanover Street. —Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 6 Dec. 2025

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