# courthouse

/ˈkɔɹtˌhaʊs/ (US) · /kˈɔːthaʊs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/courthouse
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. building for legal trials

noun · CEFR B1

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

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

- The lawyer walked up the stone steps of the courthouse to meet her client.
- The historic courthouse underwent a massive renovation to update its security systems while preserving the original wood-panelled courtrooms.

### 2. county government building

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

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

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

- We had to go to the courthouse to get a copy of our marriage license.
- In many rural American towns, the courthouse serves as the primary hub for both legal proceedings and essential administrative services like property registration.

## Examples

- The lawyer walked into the courthouse for the trial.
- A large crowd gathered outside the courthouse to wait for the jury's final decision.
- The historic courthouse, with its grand marble columns and heavy oak doors, serves as a physical reminder of the town's long legal history.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.