courthouse

noun

court·​house ˈkȯrt-ˌhau̇s 

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

The Cook County Public Defender's office said ICE agents showed up at the courthouse on Thursday, and also arrested a woman at the courthouse on March 13. —Todd Feurer, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026

His customers come from the courthouse, the neighborhood, the cruise ships, the airport — and even Broward Health. —Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026

Pressed on how the county should ensure state laws are followed, Preckwinkle touted her efforts to call Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart and Chief Judge Charles Beach about the Thursday courthouse appearance. —Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026

The event concluded outside the Mecklenburg County courthouse with attendees planting their blue pinwheels in a garden outside the building where Dominque’s family may eventually stand trial. —Charlotte Observer, 1 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for courthouse

• alehouse
• almshouse
• backhouse
• baghouse
• bakehouse
• bathhouse
• bauhaus
• blockhouse
• boathouse
• brewhouse
• bunkhouse
• clubhouse

Kids Definition

courthouse

noun

court·​house ˈkō(ə)rt-ˌhau̇s 

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