doghouse

noun

dog·​house ˈdȯg-ˌhau̇s How to pronounce doghouse (audio)
1
: a shelter for a dog
2
: a state of disfavor
often used in the phrase in the doghouse

Examples of doghouse 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.
The Sox have won 10 of 15 games and could outmuscle the Twins completely back into the doghouse over the next three days. John Shipley, Twin Cities, 1 June 2026 Management did cut the payout last fall—another reason why BMEZ is in the doghouse. Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026 In the red rock landscapes around Sedona, one famous rock formation looks just like Snoopy lying on his back on top of his doghouse. Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 13 Mar. 2026 Others would sell or give them to dog lovers in other jurisdictions, dump them at the shelter or figure out a workaround that didn’t put them in the financial doghouse. Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 20 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for doghouse

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of doghouse was in 1594

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Doghouse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/doghouse. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

doghouse

noun
dog·​house ˈdȯg-ˌhau̇s How to pronounce doghouse (audio)
: a shelter for a dog

More from Merriam-Webster on doghouse

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster