courthouse
/ˈkɔːthaʊs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkɔːrthaʊs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkȯrt-ˌhau̇s/ (ame, mw)
courthouse — noun
- courthousesingular
- courthousesplural
1. a building where judges hear legal cases, trials take place, and courts decide t
a building where judges hear legal cases, trials take place, and courts decide the outcome
Jiwoo's father is a court reporter at the downtown courthouse and types every word from trials.
collocation: is a court reporter at the courthouse / types every word from trials
The murder trial was moved to the central courthouse to find an impartial jury.
Protesters gathered outside the courthouse to show support for the accused.
Aylin waited outside the courthouse all morning to hear the jury's decision.
The judge entered the courthouse through a private door to avoid reporters.
- court building
more transparent and literal, but less idiomatic than 'courthouse'
- judicial building
formal register; used for any building that houses legal institutions
用法筆記
A courthouse is the physical building; do not use it to refer to the legal authority itself. For the institution that makes legal rulings, use 'court' (e.g. 'The court ordered a new trial,' not 'The courthouse ordered a new trial.')
常見錯誤
2. a building in the United States that houses county government offices where the
a building in the United States that houses county government offices where the public handles official tasks such as paying taxes or getting licenses
Imran went to the courthouse to register his car and pay property taxes.
collocation: went to the courthouse to [do paperwork]
Mei went to the county courthouse to apply for a marriage license and get her birth certificate.
collocation: apply for a license / get a birth certificate at the courthouse
Quan renewed his driver's license and voter registration at the county courthouse.
School board meetings are held in the courthouse basement every Tuesday.
The county courthouse handles tax payments and building permits before four o'clock on weekdays.
- county building
a general term for any building housing county government services
- county offices
refers to the departments collectively rather than the physical building
用法筆記
This sense is primarily used in the United States. In Britain and most other English-speaking countries, a courthouse always refers to a building for legal courts, not a general administrative government building.