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

Densification—constructing multifamily units, accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and mixed-use developments—maximizes land use. —Seth Gellis, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025

Current policies that could be a template for regulatory revamping, according to the report: the state’s bolstering of accessory dwelling units, electric vehicle charging stations and certain environmental restoration projects. —Calmatters, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2025

The average dwelling period of a container transferred from one vessel to another is 7.1 days, according to data from EconDB. —Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 4 Mar. 2025

By the numbers: The $120 million development will feature a 30,000-square-foot business hub, 85 apartments for rent, 20 townhomes for sale — with the dwellings available to people making 30% to 120% of the median income for the area. —Kale Williams, Axios, 25 Feb. 2025

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

Rhymes for dwelling

• belling
• celling
• fehling
• felling
• gelling
• pelling
• quelling
• selling
• shelling
• smelling
• spelling
• swelling

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.