habitation

noun

hab·​i·​ta·​tion ˌha-bə-ˈtā-shən 

1

: the act of inhabiting : occupancy

not fit for human habitation

2

: a dwelling place

3

: settlement, colony

Synonyms

• occupancy
• occupation
• possession
• residency

Examples of habitation in a Sentence

The house was not fit for human habitation.

a wilderness area with few habitations

Recent Examples on the Web

However, the introduction of advanced pod technology increases the potential for sustained human habitation undersea. —Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 27 Jan. 2025

Native to the forests of Central and South America this iconic snake can grow up 8 feet long (2+ meters), is remarkably well camouflaged, and can be very abundant near human habitation. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025

Long-term habitation underwater involves a specialized type of activity called saturation diving, so named because the diver’s tissues become saturated with gases, such as nitrogen or helium. —IEEE Spectrum, 31 Dec. 2024

The rock also holds evidence of human habitation dating back 10,000 years. —Nicolas Rivero, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English habitacioun, from Anglo-French habitaciun, from Latin habitation-, habitatio, from habitare to inhabit, frequentative of habēre

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

habitation

noun

hab·​i·​ta·​tion ˌhab-ə-ˈtā-shən 

1

: the act of inhabiting : occupancy

2

: a dwelling place : residence

Legal Definition

habitation

noun

hab·​i·​ta·​tion ˌha-bə-ˈtā-shən 

1

a

: the act of occupying or inhabiting

b

in the civil law of Louisiana : the right of a person to dwell in the house of another

2

: a dwelling place