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.
States rushed to the courthouse steps to file new actions to prevent and delay that. — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026 Andrew Tate, 39, and Tristan, 38, are being held at the Federal Detention Center in Miami — a prison across the street from the courthouse. — Bill Chappell, NPR, 27 Aug. 2026 Footage of West draped in all-black strolling into the downtown Los Angeles federal courthouse emerged in the afternoon. — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 27 Aug. 2026 Empathy for Clancy is what drove Nicole Ginnitti to travel from Connecticut to a rally of Clancy supporters outside the courthouse. — N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 26 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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