outhouse

American  

[out-hous] / ˈaʊtˌhaʊs /

noun

plural

outhouses

1. an outbuilding with one or more seats and a pit serving as a toilet; privy.

2. any outbuilding.

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outhouse British  

/ ˈaʊtˌhaʊs /

noun

1. a building near to, but separate from, a main building; outbuilding

2. an outside lavatory

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Etymology

Origin of outhouse

First recorded in 1525–35; out- + house

Example Sentences

We used candles, pumped water and had an outhouse.

From The Wall Street Journal

We stopped in a small clearing, in front of an old, abandoned outhouse, weathered to the color of ashes and looking like a gust of wind would knock it flat.

From Literature

I also spent time with colleagues, even helping one of them with the animals in her outhouses.

From BBC

Squish Factor – The outhouse at the dogsledding camp was surprisingly roomy and very clean!

From Salon

He threw himself into the project, spending a week installing a 2,600-gallon water tank, an outhouse and a plywood shack to sleep in with stud walls and a steel door.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bathroom
• latrine
• lavatory
• outbuilding