blockhouse

[ blok-hous ]

noun

, plural block·hous·es [blok, -hou-ziz].

1. Military. a fortified structure with ports or loopholes through which defenders may direct gunfire.
2. Also called garrison house. (formerly) a building, usually of hewn timber and with a projecting upper story, having loopholes for musketry.
3. a house built of squared logs.
4. Rocketry. a structure near a launching site for rockets, generally made of heavily reinforced concrete, for housing and protecting personnel, electronic controls, and auxiliary apparatus before and during launching operations.

blockhouse

/ ˈblɒkˌhaʊs /

noun

1. (formerly) a wooden fortification with ports or loopholes for defensive fire, observation, etc
2. a concrete structure strengthened to give protection against enemy fire, with apertures to allow defensive gunfire
3. a building constructed of logs or squared timber
4. a reinforced concrete building close to a rocket-launching site for protecting personnel and equipment during launching

Word History and Origins

Origin of blockhouse¹

1505–15; < Middle Dutch blochuus, equivalent to bloc block + huus house

Example Sentences

Rigg pointed out a blockhouse on the bluff overlooking the beach, saying they could expect menacing fire from that area.

From The Daily Beast

Much of the enemy firing, Liebling surmised, seemed to be coming from the blockhouse on the right that Rigg had singled out.

From The Daily Beast

There seemed to be a blockhouse on shore, and a kind of earthwork, near which was a flagstaff, but no flag was exhibited.

From Project Gutenberg

The sunset rays pouring through the ports on the west side of the blockhouse slowly faded, leaving the main room dark.

From Project Gutenberg

All together they ran at the blockhouse door, the glowing, smoking tip of the log in the forefront.

From Project Gutenberg

In the aftermath of the cannon's roar came whoops of delight from nearly a hundred small boys in the blockhouse.

From Project Gutenberg

Then they set fire to arrows and shot them at the blockhouse, and they all rushed in through the front gate.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• barricade
• citadel
• fortress
• reinforcement