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 units start at $15 million, but the average falls between $35 and $40 million, with penthouses that could exceed $150 million, Rossely said. —Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026

Queens Defenders provides legal representation to criminal defendants who can’t afford to hire lawyers, but Zeno and boyfriend Rashad Ruhani used the organization as their personal piggy bank, stealing to pay the rent on their swanky $6,000-a-month Astoria penthouse apartment. —John Annese, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2026

Ramirez reportedly lives in a penthouse at that same building. —Peter D'oench, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026

A lot of shrewd drafting, a pinch of smart free-agent signings and good coaching hoisted the Broncos from outhouse to penthouse. —Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 15 Apr. 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