Definition of tree house

The term "tree house" is a modern English expression used to describe a structure built on or within a tree. The origins of the word can be traced back to 1766 when the phrase "tree-top castle" was first recorded in print in a children's book titled "The History of Henca" by Sarah Trimmer. This book featured illustrations of young children playing in treehouses and castles perched high in the trees. Throughout the 19th century, there is little evidence of the term "tree house" being used in English literature, but in 1880, a British author named George MacDonald wrote a book titled "The Golden Key" that featured a tree-dwelling character named Lina who resided in a "tree home." The modern use of the term "tree house" to describe a homemade playhouse built within a tree or attached to a tree can be traced back to the mid-20th century when commercial treehouses became popular children's playsets. These structures were often created as part of a kit, and the term "tree house" became synonymous with these manufactured playhouses. Today, the use of the term "tree house" has expanded beyond its original connotation, and it is commonly used to describe any kind of structure constructed within or above a tree, regardless of whether it is for play, living, or other purposes.