What does "courthouse" mean?

1. (building for legal trials) a building where judges and lawyers work and where legal trials happen. 2. (county government building) in the US, the main building for a county's government offices.

courthouse

US //ˈkɔɹtˌhaʊs// UK //kˈɔːthaʊs// court·house

1 building for legal trials (n.)
B1 Intermediate Law

a building where judges and lawyers work and where legal trials happen.

a public building that houses courts of law and judicial chambers.

Example

The lawyer walked up the stone steps of the courthouse to meet her client.

Example

The historic courthouse underwent a massive renovation to update its security systems while preserving the original wood-panelled courtrooms.
- court
- tribunal
2 county government building (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate American English

in the US, the main building for a county's government offices.

the administrative centre of a county, typically housing the local government offices and records.

Example

We had to go to the courthouse to get a copy of our marriage license.

Example

In many rural American towns, the courthouse serves as the primary hub for both legal proceedings and essential administrative services like property registration.
- county seat
- civic centre

Origin

From court + house.