almshouse

noun

alms·​house ˈä(l)mz-ˌhau̇s How to pronounce almshouse (audio)
1
British : a privately financed home for the poor
2

Examples of almshouse in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Many specimens in the museum were obtained during surgeries and autopsies at almshouses, prison wards, and military field hospitals; few were collected with a contemporary understanding of consent. Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 23 June 2025 In the early 20th century, disabled and older people who needed help were relegated to almshouses, which were public institutions of last resort. Kat McGowan, NPR, 20 June 2025 The Trouble with Nursing Homes From the almshouse to the nursing home, has long-term care for seniors been destined to fail? JSTOR Daily, 24 June 2024 Three were taken from people who died in the hospital that served the city’s almshouse. Claire Healy, Washington Post, 14 Dec. 2023 See All Example Sentences for almshouse

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

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Cite this Entry

“Almshouse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/almshouse. Accessed 28 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

almshouse

noun
alms·​house -ˌhau̇s How to pronounce almshouse (audio)

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