penthouse

noun

pent·​house ˈpent-ˌhau̇s 

1

a

: a shed or roof attached to and sloping from a wall or building

b

: a smaller structure joined to a building : annex

2

: a structure or dwelling on the roof or top floor of a building

Synonyms of penthouse

• addition

Examples of penthouse in a Sentence

had a small penthouse built to serve as a toolshed

Recent Examples on the Web

The book takes place in a New York penthouse, an upstate residence and incorporates aspects of the Big Apple. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 15 May 2026

Ashamed and embarrassed, Hepburn became depressed, her penthouse turning into a kind of prison. —Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 15 May 2026

The Mayo Hotel & Residences downtown is a 1925 Renaissance Revival tower with the same Italian marble lobby floor laid a century ago, the original chandeliers, and a new penthouse rooftop bar that sits where Elvis once had the run of the place. —Heide Brandes, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 May 2026

On Tuesday, March 12, the businesswoman gave her Instagram followers a sneak peek of the ongoing construction at her grand penthouse. —Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

alteration of Middle English pentis, from Anglo-French apentiz, from apent, past participle of apendre, appendre to attach, hang against — more at append

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for penthouse

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

Kids Definition

penthouse

noun

pent·​house ˈpent-ˌhau̇s 

1

: a sloping roof or a shed attached to a wall or building

2

: a structure (as an apartment) built on the roof of a building