1. a large communal dwelling traditionally used by certain Native American peoples, especially the Iroquois
Usage: historical; anthropological
2. a long rectangular building used for communal living or gatherings

Examples

• The Iroquois longhouse could shelter multiple families under one roof.
• Archaeological evidence shows longhouses were built with wooden frames and bark coverings.
• Each longhouse had a central corridor with family compartments on either side.
• The village consisted of several longhouses arranged around a central plaza.
• Traditional longhouses could extend over 100 feet in length.
• The community gathered in the longhouse for important ceremonies.