clearinghouse

noun

clear·​ing·​house ˈklir-iŋ-ˌhau̇s 

1

: an establishment maintained by banks for settling mutual claims and accounts

2

: a central agency for the collection, classification, and distribution especially of information

broadly : an informal channel for distributing information or assistance

Examples of clearinghouse in a Sentence

an online clearinghouse for information on museums around the world

Recent Examples on the Web

The Insurance Information Institute, a clearinghouse for the industry, says the regulations are prompting more insurers to write more coverage, but this week's fires could complicate matters. —Ben Berkowitz, Axios, 14 Jan. 2025

In February, a ransomware group called Black Cat executed a cyberattack on Change Healthcare, a clearinghouse for medical claims that enables payments to doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies. —Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2024

Group becomes national leader in sanctuary movement Recognized for its work in organizing and transporting refugees from El Salvador to a network of welcoming churches around the U.S., the Chicago Religious Task Force on Central America becomes the national clearinghouse for the sanctuary movement. —Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2025

Change Healthcare is the nation's largest clearinghouse for medical payments. —Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1792, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for clearinghouse

• boardinghouse
• charterhouse
• coffeehouse
• customhouse
• firehouse
• meetinghouse
• motherhouse
• packinghouse
• pilothouse
• powerhouse
• slaughterhouse
• summerhouse

Kids Definition

clearinghouse

noun

clear·​ing·​house -ˌhau̇s 

1

: an institution run by banks for the exchanging of checks and claims

2

: a central agency for collecting and giving out information

Legal Definition

clearinghouse

noun

clear·​ing·​house ˈklir-iŋ-ˌhau̇s 

: an institution that arranges for payment of checks owed by one bank to another