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

• addition

Examples of penthouse in a Sentence

had a small penthouse built to serve as a toolshed

Recent Examples on the Web

Last month, his D.C. landlord filed a lawsuit seeking to evict him from his $20,833-a-month luxury penthouse. —Skyler Swisher, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2025

Once the penthouse was stripped bare, Baimakhan started on custom interiors for a young local family with three school-age children. —Rachel Gallaher, Robb Report, 2 Aug. 2025

The tune extended its reign as the longest-running leader on both tallies, earning a twenty-eighth stay in the penthouse. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025

Woo-sung is limping out of the apartment complex when the penthouse explodes, taking all of the evidence of both Eun-hwa and Jin-ho’s crimes with it. —Kayti Burt, Time, 18 July 2025

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