Definition

A building where legal cases are heard and decided by judges.

Example

The courthouse was busy with people attending various hearings.

Conversation

Have you ever been to the courthouse downtown?

Yeah, I went there once for a friend’s trial.

What was it like inside the courthouse?

It was formal and a bit intimidating, but also interesting to see how it all works.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Courthouse → It is formed from "court" (from Old French *cort*, meaning an enclosed area or a place where justice is administered) and "house" (from Old English *hus*, meaning a building or shelter). The word "courthouse" refers to a building where legal cases are heard and justice is administered.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'place where justice is administered' ('court') and a 'building' ('house') — that's what a courthouse is.

Visually Confused Words