I. warehouse ˈ ̷ ̷ˌhau̇s noun
Etymology: Middle English warehous, from ware (IV) + hous house
1. : a structure or room for the storage of merchandise or commodities:
a. : a wholesale establishment of the service type in which large inventories are carried
b. : a wholesale establishment operated by a chain store organization
c. : a place for the storing of surplus of reserve stocks of merchandise by a retail store
d. : a public institution for the storing of goods for others
2. Britain : retail store
II. ware·house -au̇z, -au̇s transitive verb
1. : to deposit, store, or secure in a warehouse ; specifically Britain : to allow (imported goods) to be deposited in a public or bonded warehouse or in the government or customhouse stores without duty pending payment of duty and consumption in the home market or reexport free from duty
2. : to put or hold in safekeeping : store
3. : to hold a shipment beyond the free time permitted a consignee to obtain or take delivery of his goods
III. warehouse transitive verb
: to confine or house (a person) in conditions suggestive of a warehouse
instead of rehabilitating the homeless … shelters now simply warehouse them — David Whitman