outhouse

noun

out·​house ˈau̇t-ˌhau̇s How to pronounce outhouse (audio)
plural outhouses ˈau̇t-ˌhau̇-zəz How to pronounce outhouse (audio)
 also  -səz
: outbuilding
… barns, stables, and other outhousesWayne R. LaFave and Austin W. Scott, Jr.
especially : privy sense 1a
They lived in an off-the-grid cabin with an out-door kitchen and an outhouse. Diane Daniel
Royal Cove's official outhouse didn't have a name, so we dubbed it Maggie's Loo, in honor of Princess Margaret of Great Britain. John Vigor
He calls an outhouse a toilet, because the only toilets his family had while he was growing up were outhouses. David Owen

Examples of outhouse in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
An outhouse, protected by birchbark walls, stood about a minute’s hike away. Sarah Manguso, Travel + Leisure, 26 Oct. 2024 Arrayed around it are a weather station, also elevated on pilings; a couple of very chilly outhouses; several tanks of jet fuel; and an emergency shelter that’s shaped like a watermelon and called the Tomato. Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024 Ron Jones, founder of Bungee America, told the L.A. County Regional Planning Commission on Wednesday that there’s a high likelihood the fire has consumed his property, which includes a helicopter hangar, outhouse and storage containers. Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 12 Sep. 2024 Younger children can enjoy the Shrek’s Swamp for Little Ogres play area, which houses four slides, wet play areas, a playground and Shrek’s outhouse. Jen Juneau, Peoplemag, 25 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for outhouse 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of outhouse was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near outhouse

Cite this Entry

“Outhouse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outhouse. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

outhouse

noun
out·​house ˈau̇t-ˌhau̇s How to pronounce outhouse (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on outhouse

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