Buildings Where People Live or Stay

adobe noun
a house built using adobe bricks

apartment block noun

a block of flats

apartment building noun

AMERICAN a block of flats

back-to-back noun
BRITISH a type of house built in British industrial cities in the 19th century, with a row of
houses all joined together, and the walls of one row very close to the walls of the next
row

billet noun
a place, usually someone’s house, that soldiers live in temporarily, especially during a
war

boarding house noun

OLD-FASHIONED a house in which people pay to live as guests with the family who owns it

bothy noun
SCOTTISH a small simple house with one or two rooms

bungalow noun
a house that is all on one level

bungalow noun
a small house that is often all on one level

bunkhouse noun
a building where a group of workers sleep

cabin noun
a small simple wooden house in the mountains or in a forest

chalet noun
a wooden house built in a mountain area, especially in Switzerland. Its roof usually has
steep sides.

chateau noun
a castle or large house in the French countryside

condo noun
AMERICAN INFORMAL a CONDOMINIUM

condominium noun
AMERICAN a building that contains several flats, each of which is owned by the people
who live there

conversion noun
BRITISH a building that has been changed so that people can live in it
cottage noun
a small house, usually in a village or the countryside

country house noun

a large house in the countryside, usually in the UK or Europe, especially one that has
been owned by the same family for many years

country seat noun

BRITISH a large house in the countryside that belongs to someone who is rich

dacha noun
a house in the countryside in Russia that someone lives in at weekends or during
holidays

dak bungalow noun

INDIAN ENGLISH a house where travellers can stay, used especially by government
officials

demesne noun
in the past, a large house and the land that belonged to it

des res noun

BRITISH HUMOROUS a very attractive house or flat

dorm noun
INFORMAL a DORMITORY

dormitory noun
AMERICAN a HALL OF RESIDENCE

dosshouse noun
BRITISH INFORMAL a building where people who have no home can sleep

duplex noun
AMERICAN a SEMI-DETACHED house

dwelling noun
FORMAL a house, flat, or other shelter in which someone lives

gaff noun
BRITISH INFORMAL a building, especially someone’s home

grange noun
a large COUNTRY HOUSE with farm buildings near it

granny flat noun

BRITISH INFORMAL a flat that is part of a family house where an older parent can live near
their family and still have an independent life

guest house noun

a small hotel or private home where people can pay to spend the night

guest house noun

a small house for guests on the property of a larger house
habitation noun
LITERARY a house

hacienda noun
the main house on a hacienda, where the owner lives

hall noun
BRITISH a HALL OF RESIDENCE

hall of residence noun

BRITISH a large building in or near a college or university, where students live. The
American word is dormitory .

haveli noun
INDIAN ENGLISH a large impressive house

home noun
a building for people to buy or rent

home noun
a building where people who need special care can live and be looked after, for
example an old-people’s home or a children’s home

hostel noun
BRITISH a building where people can stay and get meals if they have no home or have
been forced to leave their home

hostel noun
a building where people living away from home can stay and get meals at low prices

house noun
a building for living in, usually where only one family lives

housing noun
buildings for people to live in

housing estate noun

BRITISH a large group of houses built at the same time and in the same style, especially
one built by local government for people with low incomes to live in

lodge noun
a small simple house in the countryside that people stay in, for example when they go
hunting or fishing

lodge noun
a small house built on land belonging to a large house

lodging house noun

BRITISH a building with rooms for people to rent, usually for short periods only. The
American word is rooming house .

log cabin noun

a small simple house made of LOGS in the countryside or in the mountains
love nest noun
MAINLY JOURNALISM a house or flat where two people go to be together, especially if they
are having a secret LOVE AFFAIR

manor noun
a large house with a lot of land and small buildings around it

mansion noun
a large house, especially a beautiful one

mobile home noun

AMERICAN a house built in a factory and moved to a piece of land on a truck

newbuild noun
a house that has recently been built

newbuild noun
houses of this type

orphanage noun
a building where orphans live and are looked after

palace noun
a very large building, especially one used as the official home of a royal family,
president, or important religious leader

Palace noun
used in the name of a palace

pied-à-terre noun
a small flat or house, especially in a city, that someone owns or RENTS in addition to
their main house

pile noun
INFORMAL a very large old house or other building

place noun
a house, flat etc for living in

quarters noun
FORMAL rooms or buildings for people to live in

ranch noun
a RANCH HOUSE 1

ranch house noun

AMERICAN a house on one level, often with a roof that does not slope much

ranch house noun

AMERICAN the main house on a RANCH

reception centre noun

BRITISH a building in which people who have arrived in a country and have no home, or
who have had to leave their home, stay temporarily until someone in authority decides
where they will go
rooming house noun
MAINLY AMERICAN a LODGING HOUSE

row house noun

AMERICAN a TERRACED HOUSE

safe house noun

a building that is used for hiding people or protecting them from danger

seat noun
a large house in the countryside that belongs to an important family

semi noun
BRITISH INFORMAL a SEMI-DETACHED house

semi-detached noun

shanty noun
a badly built house made from sheets of wood, metal, or other thin material

shelter noun
a temporary place to live for people who do not have their own homes, or for animals
who have been treated in a cruel way

shoebox noun
INFORMAL a very small house or room

slum noun
a house in such an area

starter home noun

a small house that someone buys as their first home

stately home noun

a large house in the UK that has an interesting history and belongs, or used to belong,
to an important family

storey house noun

WEST AFRICAN a house that has more than one level

summer house noun

a house, especially in the mountains or near the sea, that is used for summer holidays

tenement noun
a large building in a city, containing several flats

terrace noun
BRITISH a TERRACED HOUSE

terraced house noun

BRITISH a house in a row of similar houses joined together on both sides. The American
word is row house .

timeshare noun
TOURISM a flat or house that you buy with other people so that you can each use it for a
particular amount of time every year
 timesharing noun
TOURISM the practice of owning a timeshare

town house noun

a house in a city or town belonging to someone who also has a house in the
countryside

town house noun

an expensive house near the main part of a town or city

town house noun

AMERICAN a house that shares walls with houses on either side of it

villa noun
a large house with a big garden in a warm country or region

workhouse noun
in the past, a building where poor people in Britain were sent to live and were given
unpleasant work to do

Farm Buildings and Structures Where Animals are Kept

aviary noun
an enclosed area where birds are kept

barn noun
a large building on a farm where animals, crops, or machines are kept

coop noun
a small building or large container where chickens or small animals are kept

cowshed noun
a farm building where cows are kept

dairy noun
a building on a farm where milk is kept and where foods such as butter and cheese are
made

doghouse noun
AMERICAN a KENNEL

Dutch barn noun

a farm building with a roof but no walls that is used for storing HAY dried grass used for
feeding animals

farmhouse noun
the main house on a farm, where the farmer lives

farmstead noun
MAINLY AMERICAN the main house on a farm and the buildings around it

hive noun
 a container in which BEES live and make HONEY
kennel noun
a small building where a dog sleeps and is protected from bad weather

milking parlour noun

a building on a farm where cows are MILKED

piggery noun
a farm building where pigs are kept

pigpen noun
AMERICAN a PIGSTY

pigsty noun
a small building on a farm where pigs are kept

stable noun
a building where horses or farm animals are kept

stabling noun
FORMAL buildings for keeping horses in

sty noun
a small building where pigs are kept on a farm

Buildings and Places for Storing Things

armory
the American spelling of armoury

armoury noun
a building where weapons are kept

arsenal noun
a building used for storing guns and military equipment

boathouse noun
a building or shelter for keeping small boats in when they are not being used, often at
the edge of a river or lake

bonded warehouse noun

a government building for storing goods that have been brought into a country before
tax has been paid on them

box room noun

BRITISH a small room, often used for storing things

bunker noun
a small room or large container where you store coal

cellar noun
a room under a building, below the level of the ground, usually used for storing things

closet noun
 MAINLY AMERICAN a small room or space built into a wall for storing things such as
clothes or sheets
cubbyhole noun
a very small room or space in a building, usually used for storing things in

cupboard noun
BRITISH a very small room with no windows used for storing things. The American word
is closet

depository noun
a place where something is stored

depot noun
a large building where things can be stored until they are needed

dressing room noun

a small room next to a bedroom where someone keeps their clothes and gets dressed

garage noun
a building for keeping a car in, especially one that is connected to or near a house

garden shed noun

a small building for storing garden tools, bicycles, and other equipment

godown noun
INDIAN ENGLISH a large building with several levels where goods are kept

granary noun
a building where grain is kept

hangar noun
a very large building where planes are kept, built, or repaired

hayloft noun
the area at the top of a farm building used for storing HAY

larder noun
a cupboard or small room where food is stored, usually in a kitchen

lockup noun
BRITISH a garage that you can rent to keep a vehicle in or to store goods in

loft noun
a space under the roof of a building, often used for storing things

loft noun
the upper floor in a farm building used for storing HAY

magazine noun
a room or building used by the armed forces for storing bullets and weapons

multi-storey noun
BRITISH a building with several levels or floors where you can park your car

outbuilding noun
 a separate building that belongs to a house and is used, for example, for keeping
animals or equipment in
outhouse noun
a building near to a house or joined on to it, used for storing things, keeping animals
etc

pantry noun
a small room for storing food, usually next to the kitchen

repository noun
a place where large quantities of things are stored or kept safe

shed noun
a small building, usually made of wood, in which you store things

shed noun
a large building where large machines or vehicles are kept

silo noun
a tall round tower on a farm used for storing things such as grain, crops, and food for
animals

storage noun
space where things can be stored

store noun
the place where these supplies are kept

store noun
a place where a supply of something is kept until it is needed

storehouse noun
OLD-FASHIONED a building or room where things are stored

storeroom noun
a room where things are stored

strongroom noun
a room, often in a bank, for protecting money and other valuable things from being
stolen or burned in a fire

tool shed noun

a small building, often made of wood and usually in a garden, used for storing tools

vault noun
a strongly protected room in a bank where money, gold etc is kept

warehouse noun
a big building where large amounts of goods are stored

woodshed noun
a small building used for storing wood for making fires

Buildings in Parks and Gardens

bandstand noun
a building without walls in a park, used for musical performances
garden shed noun
a small building for storing garden tools, bicycles, and other equipment

gazebo noun
a small building, usually in a garden, intended for people to sit in and look out over a
beautiful view

glasshouse noun
a large glass building used for growing plants in. A small glasshouse in a garden is
called a greenhouse .

greenhouse noun
a building made of glass that is used for growing plants that need protection from the
weather

hothouse noun
a building made of glass that is used for growing plants that need a warm temperature

orangery noun
a building made of glass where orange trees are grown

pagoda noun
a building that looks like a pagoda

pavilion noun
a building in a park or large garden for people to sit in

summer house noun

a small building in a garden or park where you can sit in warm weather

Religious and Church Buildings

abbey noun
a large church with buildings connected to it where a group of MONKS or NUNS live or
used to live

basilica noun
a large important Roman Catholic church

cathedral noun
the most important church in an area that a BISHOP controls

chapel noun
a small church, or a special room used as a church, where Christians can pray or
worship

chapel noun
BRITISH a church where NONCONFORMISTS go to pray and worship

chapter house noun

a building where the priests who work in a CATHEDRAL have their meetings

church noun
 a building that Christians go to in order to worship. Traditional churches usually contain
an altar and long wooden seats facing the altar called pews . The place where the
priest or MINISTER stands to talk to the people is called a pulpit . A religious ceremony
that takes place in a church is called a service

cloister noun
LITERARY a MONASTERY or CONVENT

convent noun
a building where a community of NUNS women members of a religious organization live
and work

deanery noun
the house of the dean of a church

friary noun
a building where a group of friars lives

hermitage noun
a building where a group of religious hermits live

house of God noun

a Christian church or other building where people worship God

kirk noun
SCOTTISH a church

manse noun
a house provided for a MINISTER in some Protestant churches

masjid noun
a Muslim name for a MOSQUE

meeting-house noun
a place where QUAKERS meet and pray

minster noun
BRITISH a large and important church

monastery noun
a building where a group of MONKS a religious community of men lives and works

mosque noun
a building in which Muslims worship

nunnery noun
MAINLY LITERARY a CONVENT

oratory noun
a church or other building where Roman Catholics go to pray and worship

pagoda noun
a Buddhist religious building with several levels, each of which has a roof that sticks out

parish church noun

the main church or the only church in a parish
parsonage noun
a house that the Anglican church provides for a parson to live in

place of worship
FORMAL a church or other building where people hold religious ceremonies

presbytery noun
the house where a Roman Catholic priest lives

priory noun
a building where the members of a Christian religious community live

rectory noun
a house that the rector of a church lives in

shrine noun
a religious place built to remember a particular holy person or event

synagogue noun
a building used by Jewish people for worship and religious study

tabernacle noun
a name used by some Christian religious groups for their churches

temple noun
a building used for worship in some religions, typically religions other than Christianity

temple noun
AMERICAN a SYNAGOGUE where Jewish people worship

vicarage noun
a vicar’s house

Buildings and Areas for Entertainment and Leisure

amphitheatre noun
a large circular building without a roof and with rows of seats that slope up and away
from a central area, used for entertainments such as sports competitions or plays

aquarium noun
a building with aquariums where people can go to look at fish and other water animals

arena noun
a large area that is surrounded by seats, used for sports or entertainment

art house noun

CINEMA a cinema that mainly shows films made by small or foreign companies

auditorium noun
a large room or building used for meetings, lectures, or public performances

baths noun
 BRITISH a building containing a SWIMMING POOL

bowling alley noun

a building where people go bowling

bullring noun
a place where a BULLFIGHT takes place

cinema noun
a building where you pay to go and watch a film. The usual American word is movie
theater

civic center noun

AMERICAN a large public building where events, concerts etc are held

club noun
the place where the members of a club meet

clubhouse noun
a building used for meeting or relaxing in by members of a sports club, especially a
GOLF CLUB

community centre noun

a building used by members of a community for meetings, social events, and other
activities

concert hall noun

a large building where people go to listen to concerts

country club noun

a private club where the members hold social events and play sports such as golf and
tennis

drive-in adjective
used about a place where you can have a meal or watch a film without leaving your car

drive-in noun
AMERICAN a cinema where you can watch a film without leaving your car

endless pool noun

a swimming pool that seems to go on for ever because the water flows over one end of
it into a hidden part

fat farm noun

INFORMALa place where people can go to try to lose weight by eating in a healthy way
and doing a lot of exercise

fitness centre noun

a place where people go to exercise, swim, or play sports

fleapit noun
BRITISH INFORMAL an old dirty cinema

fleshpots noun
HUMOROUS places where you can find sexual pleasure or entertainment
the flicks noun
BRITISH OLD-FASHIONED the cinema
guildhall noun
in the past, a building used by members of a GUILD to discuss business. Guildhalls are
now sometimes used as places of entertainment.

gym noun
a large hall or room with special equipment for doing physical exercises

gym noun
a building or club where you go to do physical exercises, swim, and play sports

hall noun
a public building that has a large room in it

health club noun

a club where members can go to do physical exercises

health farm noun

a place where people can stay and do physical exercises, eat healthy food, and have
beauty treatments

health spa noun

a place similar to a hotel or inside a hotel with a swimming pool, GYM and rooms where
you can have beauty treatments and MASSAGE

leisure centre noun

BRITISH a large building that has a swimming pool and areas for exercising and playing
different sports

mall noun
a large building with a lot of shops, restaurants, and sometimes a cinema

massage parlour noun

a place where you go to have a massage

movie theater noun

AMERICAN a CINEMA

multiplex noun
a large building that contains several cinema screens

music hall noun

THEATRE a theatre where music hall performances took place

oceanarium noun
TOURISM a building with oceanariums where people can go to look at fish and other
water animals

opera house noun

a theatre where operas are performed

palace noun
a very large building, used especially as a museum or a place where performances can
be seen
pavilion noun
BRITISH a building beside a sports field for players or club members to use
pavilion noun
a building or tent at an exhibition or show

picnic area noun

an area where people can eat picnics, usually in an attractive place with tables to sit at

pier noun
a structure built out from the land over water, especially at the SEASIDE , where people
can go to walk and for entertainment

planetarium noun
a building with a DOME curved roof where lights in the ceiling represent the movement
of the planets and stars

playground noun
a place where a particular group of people go to do things that they enjoy

playhouse noun
THEATREa building where plays are performed. The word is now used mainly in the
names of theatres

pool noun
a SWIMMING POOL

rendezvous noun
a restaurant, bar, or other place where a particular group of people frequently meets

repertory noun
THEATRE a group or theatre that uses this system

showground noun
BRITISH a large area of land used for exhibitions and other events that attract a lot of
people

spa noun
a health club, especially one that has a swimming pool and a STEAM ROOM
sports centre noun
BRITISH a building where you can go to do different sports and other activities

spot noun
INFORMAL a particular place where people go for entertainment

stadium noun
a large building, usually without a roof, where people watch sports events such as
football matches or races

swimming baths noun

BRITISH OLD-FASHIONED a public SWIMMING POOL inside a building

swimming pool noun

a large structure filled with water for people to swim in

theatre noun
a building, room, or outside area used for performing plays
theatre noun
AMERICAN a CINEMA 1

vaudeville theater noun

AMERICAN a MUSIC HALL

youth club noun

BRITISH a place where young people can go to meet and take part in activities

Government and Office Buildings

centre noun
a building or group of buildings where people go for advice, help, or information: used
with many nouns and adjectives

chancellery noun
a building where a chancellor has his or her office

city hall noun

AMERICAN the building where the council members and officials who manage a city work

civic centre noun

BRITISH the building in a town or city where its government is based

consulate noun
the government building in which a consul works

courthouse noun
LEGAL MAINLY AMERICAN a building that has one or more courts in it for legal trials

embassy noun
the building where such officials work

guildhall noun
in the past, a building used by members of a GUILD to discuss business. Guildhalls are
now sometimes used as places of entertainment.

mission noun
the building used by people who do the work of a mission

office noun
a room or building where the people in an organization or department work

office block noun

BRITISH a large building that contains many offices

office building noun

an OFFICE BLOCK

statehouse noun
in the US, a building in the capital of a state where the politicians of the state work and
make laws
station noun
a building or place where a particular service or activity is based

town hall noun

a building that has all the offices of a town’s local government

Buildings and Rooms Used for Shelter

blockhouse noun
a small building used in the past as a shelter during a battle

bomb shelter noun

a building or underground room that is designed to protect people from bombs

bunker noun
a room or set of rooms with very strong walls, built underground as a shelter against
bombs

bunker noun
a secret place, often underground, where government or military officials work during a
war

fallout shelter noun

a building under the ground where people can go if there is a nuclear attack

guardhouse noun
a building for soldiers who are working as guards, sometimes also used as a place for
keeping military prisoners

humpy noun
AUSTRALIAN a small temporary shelter built by an ABORIGINAL person

hut noun
a small simple shelter

lean-to noun
a simple outdoor building or shelter that uses the side of another building as one of its
walls and has a sloping roof

lean-to noun
a simple outdoor shelter that stands alone and has a sloping roof

Nissen hut noun

BRITISH a small building made of steel, originally used as a shelter during the First
World War

pillbox noun
a round shelter from which soldiers fire large guns

rondavel noun
SOUTH AFRICAN a circular building, usually with a pointed dry grass roof
sentry box noun
a narrow shelter with an open front that a sentry stands in
shelter noun
a place where people are protected from bad weather or from danger

Factories and Industrial Buildings

abattoir noun
BRITISH a place where animals are killed for meat

blast furnace noun

a large industrial container in which rock containing metal is heated to a very high
temperature so that the liquid metal flows out of the rock

boatyard noun
a place for making, repairing, or keeping small boats

brickworks noun
a place where bricks are made

cannery noun
a factory where food is put into cans

chimney stack noun

a very tall CHIMNEY on a factory or other large building

cooling tower noun

a tall round structure where water used in an industrial process is made less hot so that
it can be used again

derrick noun
a tall tower built over an OIL WELL that is used for raising and lowering the DRILL the tool
that makes the hole in the ground

factory noun
a building or group of buildings where large quantities of goods are produced using
machines

foundry noun
a factory where metal or glass is heated and made into different objects

gasholder noun
a GASOMETER

gasometer noun
a very large metal container or structure, used for storing gas before it is carried
through pipes to buildings

gasworks noun
a factory where gas for fuel is produced

knacker’s yard noun

BRITISH OLD-FASHIONED a place where old or injured horses are killed
mill noun
a building where grain is made into flour
mill noun
a factory where a product such as cotton, wool, or steel is made

oast house noun

BRITISH a round building with a pointed roof where HOPS seeds for making beer are dried

plant noun
a factory that produces power, or processes chemicals etc

plant noun
a factory that makes cars, machines, equipment etc

pottery noun
a factory where pottery is made

power plant noun

a POWER STATION

power station noun

BRITISH a large building that contains machines which produce power, especially
electricity

refinery noun
a factory where things are removed from a natural substance to make it pure

rolling mill noun

a factory where metal is rolled into large sheets, or a machine that does this

sawmill noun
a building where wood is cut into boards using machines

sewage works noun

BRITISH a place where waste substances are treated with chemicals to make them less
harmful

shipyard noun
a place where ships are built or repaired

shipyard noun
a business that deals with building and repairing ships

shop noun
BRITISH INFORMAL a WORKSHOP 2

shop noun
a business where something is made or repaired

silo noun
a large underground structure for storing or protecting something

slaughterhouse noun
a building where animals are killed for their meat
smelter noun
a FURNACE used for heating rock to remove the metal that it contains, or a factory where
this is done
smokestack noun
a tall structure on a factory or ship through which smoke rises

steelworks noun
a factory where steel is made and steel products are produced

sweatshop noun
INFORMAL a factory where people work very hard in bad conditions and earn very little
money

tannery noun
a place where animal skins are made into leather

timber yard noun

BRITISH a place where you can buy wood

water mill noun

a building with a large wheel that is turned by water from a river to produce energy to
make a machine work

water tower noun

a tower used for storing and supplying water in a particular area

windmill noun
a tall building with SAILS long pieces of wood or metal that turn in the wind and produce
power to crush grain or produce electricity

works noun
a factory

workshop noun
a room or building where things are made using tools and machines

Temporary Buildings and Buildings Associated with

Other Buildings

annexe noun
a building that is added to a larger building or built next to it

awning noun
a type of tent that attaches onto the side of a CARAVAN

carport noun
a shelter for a car that is joined to the side of a house and consists of a roof but no
walls
encampment noun
a large group of tents or temporary shelters

folly noun
a building that has no practical use and is built as a decoration
lapa noun
SOUTH AFRICAN an area surrounded by a fence and sometimes covered with a dry grass
roof, used for outdoor meals and parties

marquee noun
a large tent used for a party or event held outside

outbuilding noun
a separate building that belongs to a house and is used, for example, for keeping
animals or equipment in

outhouse noun
a building near to a house or joined on to it, used for storing things, keeping animals
etc

outhouse noun
MAINLY AMERICAN an outside toilet

outside toilet stairs etc

a toilet set of stairs etc that is not inside a building

Portakabin
TRADEMARK BRITISH a type of small building that can be used as a temporary office,
classroom etc

Portaloo
TRADEMARK BRITISH a temporary toilet inside a small building that can be easily moved
from place to place

prefab noun
BRITISH a small building made from parts produced in a factory and put together later

privy noun
OLD-FASHIONED a toilet in a separate small building next to a house

shithouse noun
IMPOLITE a toilet, especially one that is outside

sleep-out noun
AUSTRALIAN a VERANDA open area with a floor and roof joined to a house or small building
near a house that has been made into a bedroom

teepee noun
a TEPEE

tent noun
a shelter made of cloth and supported with poles and ropes

tepee noun
a tall round tent made of animal skin that some NATIVE AMERICANS traditionally lived in

tower noun
a tall narrow structure or building that stands alone
wigwam noun
a tall tent used in the past by some NATIVE AMERICANS as their home
yurt noun
a large round tent used especially by people in Central Asia

Castles, Towers and Fortifications

bailey noun
an area of land between the outer and inner walls of a castle

battlements noun
a wall around the top of a castle, with spaces through which weapons could be fired

belfry noun
the part of a tower that has a bell in it

bell tower noun

a tower of a church or other building in which there is a bell

campanile noun
a tall tower with a bell at the top, especially one near a church but not a part of it

casbah noun
another spelling of kasbah

castellated adjective
in architecture, a castellated building is made to look like a castle, usually with
BATTLEMENTS

castle noun
a large strong building with thick walls, built in the past to protect the people inside
from being attacked

chateau noun
a castle or large house in the French countryside

chatelaine noun
OLD-FASHIONED a woman in charge of a castle or large house

citadel noun
a castle intended originally for the defence of a city, usually built on a high place

crenellated adjective
in architecture, a crenellated wall or castle has BATTLEMENTS

drawbridge noun
a bridge that can be pulled up to let ships pass or to stop people getting into a castle

dungeon noun
a dark underground room in a castle that was used as a prison in the past

fastness noun
LITERARY a place that is difficult to attack or get control of, usually because it is on the
top of a hill or mountain
fort noun
a strong building, often with a high wall around it, used by soldiers for defending a
place

fortifications noun
strong buildings, walls, towers etc built around a place in order to defend it

fortress noun
a strong well-protected building used for defending a place

kasbah noun
a castle built on a high place to defend a North African city

keep noun
a large strong tower in the centre of a castle

moat noun
a deep wide hole, usually filled with water, that surrounds a castle as protection against
attack

portcullis noun
a heavy iron gate that can be lowered in front of the entrance to a castle as a defence

rampart noun
a high hill of earth, or a stone wall, built around a city or castle to protect it against an
enemy

spire noun
the pointed top of a church tower or other building

steeple noun
a tall pointed tower on a church

tower noun
a tall narrow structure that forms the highest part of a church or other building

the Tower of London

a castle in London that was first used as a home for kings and queens, then as a prison,
and is now used as a museum

turret noun
a small tower on the top of a building such as a castle

turreted adjective

wall noun
a very tall strong structure that is built to defend a place or to keep people inside a
place, for example a prison, castle, or city

watchtower noun
a tower from where guards can see the whole area that they are guarding

Other Buildings With a Specific Use

 baths noun
a public building where people go to wash themselves

bathhouse noun
a public building where people go to wash or have a health treatment using hot water
or steam. Bathhouses are no longer common in the UK.

car park noun

BRITISH an area or a building where people can leave their cars for a short time

colonnade noun
a row of stone COLUMNS

geodesic dome noun

a building with a high round frame made of shapes with angles that fit together

high-rise noun

igloo noun
a building made from snow or ice

lighthouse noun
a tower built next to the sea that has a powerful flashing light at the top to show ships
where to go or to warn them of danger

listed building noun

BRITISH in the UK, a building that is important because of its history or design and
which cannot be changed without permission from the government

rotunda noun
a round building or room, especially one that has a DOME a curved roof

schoolhouse noun
a building used as a school, especially in a village

shack noun
a small plain building, usually made of wood or metal

skyscraper noun
a very tall building containing offices or flats

students’ union noun

the buildings used by this organization

tower block noun

BRITISH a tall building with flats or offices on each floor. The American word is high-
rise .
walk-up noun
AMERICAN INFORMAL a tall building that has stairs but no lift

Monuments and Memorials

ancient monument noun
a very old building, especially one that belongs to the state and is open to visitors
cenotaph noun
a large structure built to remind people of soldiers, sailors etc who died in wars

column noun
a tall thick post built in a public place to honour an important event or famous person

memorial noun
a structure built to remind people of a famous person or event

memorial noun
something created to honour someone who has died

monument noun
a structure built in a public place to celebrate an important person or event

monument noun
a place of historical importance, for example an old building

monumental adjective
relating to a monument that celebrates an important person or event

national monument noun

a building or area that is important to a country’s history or culture and is protected by
the government

obelisk noun
a tall pointed stone PILLAR that has been built to remember an important person or
event

pantheon noun
a building that was built to honour gods or famous people

the National Trust

an organization in the UK that owns and looks after historical buildings and areas of
countryside for people to visit

the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

a public place where a soldier whose name is not known is buried as a sign of respect
for all the other soldiers killed in a particular war whose names are not known

war memorial noun

a structure that is built to remind people of the soldiers and other people who were
killed in a war