dwelling

noun

dwell·​ing ˈdwe-liŋ 

: a shelter (such as a house) in which people live

Synonyms

• abode
• diggings
• domicile
• fireside
• habitation
• hearth
• hearthstone
• home
• house
• lodging
• pad
• place
• quarters
• residence
• roof

Examples of dwelling in a Sentence

the simple dwellings in which the Pilgrims spent the first winter at Plymouth

Recent Examples on the Web

The claim: Video shows California earthquake in December 2024 A Dec. 5 Instagram post (direct link, archive link) shows a video of the interior of a high-rise dwelling during what appears to be an earthquake. —Joedy McCreary, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024

Redford initially purchased the four-bedroom dwelling in 2020 for $3.1 million after selling his longtime Napa Valley estate in 2019 for $7 million. —India Roby, Architectural Digest, 4 Dec. 2024

An underground city offered several advantages over surface dwellings. —Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 4 Dec. 2024

Public records show that the dwelling was snapped up in 1996 for a cool $1.5 million. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 25 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see dwell

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing dwelling

• dwelling place
• lake dwelling
• two-family house/dwelling

Kids Definition

dwelling

noun

dwell·​ing

ˈdwel-iŋ

: a shelter in which people live : house

Legal Definition

dwelling

noun

dwell·​ing

: a structure where a person lives and especially sleeps

called also dwelling house

see also burglary

Note: Courts disagree as to how permanent or consistent the habitation of a structure must be in order for it to be considered a dwelling, but most courts agree that a dwelling includes its curtilage.