slaughterhouse \ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷\noun Etymology: Middle English slaughterhous, from slaughter + hous house — more at house 1.: an establishment where animals are butchered for market : abattoir — called also meatworks 2.: something that resembles a slaughterhouse < a political campaign is a slaughterhouse for issues and reputations — Norman Cousins >