Definition

1. Noun:
   • The town or city that is the seat of government for a county: A "county courthouse" is the specific building or, by extension, the municipality where the main administrative offices and courts of a county are located. It serves as the center of local government and judicial activities for that county.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The historic county courthouse was built in the 19th century and still functions today. (The main government building for the county, constructed long ago, remains in use.)
  • All property records are filed at the county courthouse. (Official documents related to land ownership are kept at the county's administrative center.)
  • The small town grew rapidly after it was designated the county courthouse. (The town developed quickly once it became the seat of government for the county.)

Advanced Usage

• Metonymic Use: The term "county courthouse" is often used metonymically to refer to the county government or its administrative functions as a whole, not just the physical building.
  • You'll have to deal with the county courthouse to get that permit. (You must go through the county government's administrative procedures to obtain the permit.)

Variants and Related Words

• County seat (n): This is a direct synonym, referring specifically to the town or city where the county government is headquartered. The "county courthouse" is the primary building within the county seat.
  • Springfield is the county seat, so the main courthouse is located there.
• Courthouse (n): A building housing judicial courts. A "county courthouse" is a type of courthouse that serves a specific county.
• Municipal building (n): A building for city government. This is a related but distinct concept, as a county courthouse serves a larger county area, not just a single city.

Synonyms

• County seat: The municipality that is the administrative center of a county.
• Administrative center: A general term for the main location of government administration for a specific area.

Related Phrases

• To go down to the courthouse: A common phrase meaning to visit the county courthouse for official business.
  • I need to go down to the courthouse to pay my property taxes.
• Courthouse steps: Often used figuratively to refer to the immediate vicinity of the courthouse, especially in the context of public statements or gatherings.
  • The protest assembled on the courthouse steps.

Noun

1. the town or city that is the seat of government for a county