online vocabulary.com

Longhouse - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

A longhouse is a traditional communal dwelling used by various indigenous peoples, particularly in North America and Southeast Asia. It is typically an elongated, single-room structure housing multiple families.

longhouse

/ˈlɔŋˌhaʊs/ /ˈlɒŋˌhaʊs/

Definition:

A traditional communal dwelling, especially among Native American and indigenous peoples, typically made of wood.

Synonyms:

communal house, dwelling hall, tribal house

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

single-family home, apartment

Common Collocations:

build a longhouse, live in a longhouse, traditional longhouse

Derivatives:

longhouses (plural), longhousing (gerund)

Usage Tips:

Use "longhouse" to refer to shared dwellings in indigenous cultures; avoid confusing it with modern housing structures.

Common Phrases:

"longhouse culture, " "longhouse tradition, " "longhouse community"

Etymology:

Derived from Old English "lang" (long) + "hūs" (house), referring to its elongated structure for communal living.

Examples:

  • 1. The Iroquois built a longhouse for their extended family.
  • 2. A longhouse often housed multiple families under one roof.
  • 3. Visitors admired the craftsmanship of the traditional longhouse.
  • 4. The tribe gathered in the longhouse for ceremonies.

MORE VOCABULARY LISTS