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

According to Mitchell, two of those ideas are accessory dwelling units and mixed residential and commercial zoning. —Alex Malm, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025

Improving and expanding accessory dwelling unit development should be a no-brainer given Chicago’s 120,000-unit shortage of affordable housing. —Micky Horstman, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025

The suspect was booked for being a felon in possession of a firearm, shooting into an occupied dwelling and possessing an unregistered firearm. —Sierra Lopez, The Mercury News, 3 Feb. 2025

Besides the average 22% rate increase in homeowners’ insurance policies, State Farm requested a 15% hike for renters, 15% for condo owners and 38% for rental dwellings. —Pat Maio, Orange County Register, 3 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

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.