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

In Virginia, lawmakers are weighing legislation that could prevent federal civil immigration officials from making arrests within 40 feet of any polling place or courthouse. —Morgan Lee, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026

So far, officials have reported that local schools, the Kankakee County jail and courthouse, and Riverside Medical Center were damaged, and that 30 or more homes were completely destroyed. —Madeline King, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026

Additional support measures include the placement of Hattie, an 8-year-old support dog, at the Domestic Violence courthouse to bring comfort to victims and their families. —Megan De Mar, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026

And after testimony in Miami one day, former Police Chief and Carollo foe Art Acevedo, was followed from the courthouse to a restaurant in Coral Gables by a couple of private detectives. —Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 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