barrelhouse

noun

bar·​rel·​house ˈber-əl-ˌhau̇s How to pronounce barrelhouse (audio)
ˈba-rəl-
Synonyms of barrelhousenext
1
: a cheap drinking and usually dancing establishment
2
: a strident, uninhibited, and forcefully rhythmic style of jazz or blues

Examples of barrelhouse in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Flying Leap Vineyards Located in the heart of scenic southern Arizona, Flying Leap Vineyards has a distillery, barrelhouse, tasting room, and event center. — Sarah Lapidus, The Arizona Republic, 29 Sep. 2024 Many of the new barrelhouses are being built with industrial revenue bonds exempting them from property taxes for years or decades. — Travis Loller, Fortune, 8 July 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of barrelhouse was in 1875

Rhymes for barrelhouse

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Browse Nearby Words

barrel helm
barrelhouse
barrel key
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Cite this Entry

“Barrelhouse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barrelhouse. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

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