doghouse

noun

dog·​house ˈdȯg-ˌhau̇s How to pronounce doghouse (audio)
1
: a shelter for a dog
2
: a state of disfavor
—often used in the phrase in the doghouse

Examples of doghouse 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.
In the red rock landscapes around Sedona, one famous rock formation looks just like Snoopy lying on his back on top of his doghouse. — Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 13 Mar. 2026 Webb wrote the post after learning about the family of canines chained to a doghouse in Hattiesburg, Miss. — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026 Others would sell or give them to dog lovers in other jurisdictions, dump them at the shelter or figure out a workaround that didn’t put them in the financial doghouse. — Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 20 Feb. 2026 The Sox have won 10 of 15 games and could outmuscle the Twins completely back into the doghouse over the next three days. — John Shipley, Twin Cities, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for doghouse

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of doghouse was in 1594

Phrases Containing doghouse

Rhymes for doghouse

See All Rhymes for doghouse

Browse Nearby Words

dog hook
doghouse
dog hysteria
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Doghouse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/doghouse. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

doghouse

noun
dog·​house ˈdȯg-ˌhau̇s How to pronounce doghouse (audio)
: a shelter for a dog

More from Merriam-Webster on doghouse

Nglish: Translation of doghouse for Spanish Speakers

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