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definitions

showplace

[shoh-pleys]
noun
  1. an estate, mansion, or the like, usually open to the public, renowned for its beauty, excellent design and workmanship, historical interest, etc.
  2. any house, building, office, etc., that is beautifully furnished and is considered of flawless taste: His home was a showplace.

Origin of showplace

First recorded in 1570–80; show + place
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for show-place

Historical Examples of show-place

  • The house had been built only three years, and was the show-place of the village.

    Brave and Bold

    Horatio Alger

  • We have a show-place, and one of which we are excessively proud.

  • For the Land's End is a show-place, and we know what that entails.

    The Cornwall Coast

    Arthur L. Salmon

  • To-day the Alhambra is kept as a show-place, rejuvenated by the restorer.

    Things seen in Spain

    C. Gasquoine Hartley

  • His house was, for the moment, the "show-place" of the town.

    Diplomatic Days

    Edith O'Shaughnessy

British Dictionary definitions for show-place

showplace

noun
  1. a place exhibited or visited for its beauty, historic interest, etc
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for show-place
n.

one much-visited for beauty or fineness, 1794, from show (v.) + place (n.).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper