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 penthouse comes with seven garage parking spaces. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 8 May 2026

Ken Griffin and Zohran Mamdani's latest feud is intensifying after the billionaire said NYC's mayor put him in harm's way for including his penthouse in a video last month to promote his newest tax initiative. —Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 6 May 2026

Mamdani’s penthouse video may have become the campaign’s best recruiting advertisement. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 6 May 2026

The current record belongs to Ken Griffin, who paid $238 million for a New York City penthouse in 2019, while the California record belongs to James Jannard, the Oakley founder who sold his Malibu mansion for $210 million in 2024. —Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 1 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