cookhouse: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowSpecialized, Historical
Quick answer
What does “cookhouse” mean?
A building where meals are prepared and cooked, especially for a group of people in a military camp, on a farm, or at a remote site.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A building where meals are prepared and cooked, especially for a group of people in a military camp, on a farm, or at a remote site.
A small, basic building or shelter equipped for cooking; historically, a detached kitchen separate from a main house. In modern contexts, it can refer to a communal kitchen in institutions, camps, or on ships.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slightly more common in UK historical and military contexts. In the US, 'field kitchen', 'mess hall', or simply 'kitchen' might be more frequently used in equivalent contexts.
Connotations
Both varieties associate it with institutional, rustic, or expeditionary settings. No strong negative/positive difference.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, with a slight edge in UK frequency due to historical colonial/military literature.
Grammar
How to Use “cookhouse” in a Sentence
The cookhouse at the [military base/camp] was [adjective].They prepared meals in the [adjective] cookhouse.A cookhouse was erected near the [site/barracks].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cookhouse” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
American English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
American English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- [Not applicable as an adjective]
American English
- [Not applicable as an adjective]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, anthropological, or military studies texts.
Everyday
Very rare; mostly in discussions of historical reenactments, camping, or remote work sites.
Technical
Used in military logistics, expedition planning, and historical archaeology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cookhouse”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cookhouse”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cookhouse”
- Using 'cookhouse' to refer to a modern, well-equipped home kitchen.
- Spelling as two separate words ('cook house') – it is a closed compound.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A cookhouse is typically a separate, often simple building used for group catering in camps, farms, or military settings. A kitchen is the standard room in a house or establishment for food preparation.
No, it is a low-frequency, specialised term. Words like 'field kitchen', 'camp kitchen', or simply 'kitchen' are more common in modern speech.
No, 'cookhouse' is solely a noun. The verb is 'to cook'.
Yes, the standard plural is 'cookhouses' (e.g., 'The camp had three separate cookhouses').
A building where meals are prepared and cooked, especially for a group of people in a military camp, on a farm, or at a remote site.
Cookhouse is usually specialized, historical in register.
Cookhouse: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkʊkhaʊs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkʊkˌhaʊs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specific to 'cookhouse']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a small HOUSE where you only COOK. It's detached, functional, and serves a group (like soldiers or farmhands).
Conceptual Metaphor
A cookhouse is a CONTAINER FOR SUSTENANCE PRODUCTION, emphasizing its role as a dedicated, separate, and often communal production site for a basic human need.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'cookhouse' be LEAST appropriate?