courthouse

noun

court·​house ˈkȯrt-ˌhau̇s How to pronounce courthouse (audio)
1
a
: a building in which courts of law are regularly held
b
: the principal building in which county offices are housed
2
: county seat

Examples of courthouse in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Freedman declined to comment outside the courthouse Thursday. — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 The highest bidder doesn’t necessarily become the next owner of the courthouse, either. — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026 All parties in the criminal case are barred from attending the vigil, held less than 15 miles from the courthouse, because of a gag order Maguire issued last month. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026 Callella's next hearing is scheduled for July 2 at the federal courthouse in Tucson. — Anna Schecter, CBS News, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for courthouse

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of courthouse was in the 15th century

Rhymes for courthouse

See All Rhymes for courthouse

Browse Nearby Words

court holy water
courthouse
courtier
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Courthouse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/courthouse. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

courthouse

noun
court·​house ˈkō(ə)rt-ˌhau̇s How to pronounce courthouse (audio)
ˈkȯ(ə)rt-
: a building in which courts of law are held or county offices are located

Legal Definition

courthouse

noun
court·​house
: a building in which court is regularly held

More from Merriam-Webster on courthouse

Nglish: Translation of courthouse for Spanish Speakers

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