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noun Uncommon

courthouse

KAWRT-hows

Courthouse (noun) means a building where court cases are heard, and often where local government offices are based. Example: “The trial will be held at the county courthouse.”

noun
1
A building where court cases are heard, and often where local government offices are based.
"The trial will be held at the county courthouse."
"She filed the paperwork at the courthouse downtown."

How to Use Courthouse

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe building where legal trials and hearings take place.

Common pairings
county courthouse federal courthouse steps of the courthouse

Word Forms

courthouses plural

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The trial will be held at the county _____.

Etymology

A compound of court and house.

Related Words

Rhymes for courthouse

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “courthouse” mean?

The word “courthouse” means a building where court cases are heard, and often where local government offices are based. In plain terms, the building where legal trials and hearings take place.

How do you pronounce “courthouse”?

“Courthouse” is pronounced KAWRT-hows (/ˈkɔɹt.haʊs/ in IPA).

How do you use “courthouse” in a sentence?

Here is “courthouse” used in a sentence: “The trial will be held at the county courthouse.”

What is another word for “courthouse”?

Words with a similar meaning to “courthouse” include court.

What part of speech is “courthouse”?

“Courthouse” is a noun.

Is “courthouse” a common word?

“Courthouse” is an uncommon word in modern English.

What is the difference between a "courthouse" and a "courtroom"?

A courthouse is the entire building where court cases are heard and often where local government offices are based, while a courtroom is specifically the room within that building where a judge hears and decides cases. A single courthouse typically contains multiple courtrooms.

Does a courthouse only contain courtrooms?

No, a courthouse often houses local government offices in addition to the courtrooms themselves, making it a hub for both judicial proceedings and administrative business in many towns and counties.

Why are courthouses often located in a town's center?

Courthouses are frequently placed centrally because they historically served as hubs for both legal proceedings and local government offices, making them accessible focal points for the community's civic and judicial business.

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