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
• annex
• extension

Examples of penthouse in a Sentence

had a small penthouse built to serve as a toolshed

Recent Examples on the Web

Take world cruises in the penthouse suites of luxury liners. —Herb Cromwell, Baltimore Sun, 18 May 2025

Price ranges from $4.9 million to $100 million for the penthouse. —Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 16 May 2025

The 3,140-square-foot triplex penthouse, with sweeping views of the East River and Manhattan skyline, spans three floors and contains four bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 16 May 2025

There are also four three-bedroom penthouses that average $12,040 a month. —Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 May 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