residency

noun

res·​i·​den·​cy ˈre-zə-dən(t)-sē 

ˈrez-dən(t)-, 

ˈre-zə-ˌden(t)-

plural residencies

1

a

: a usually official place of residence

b

: a state or period of residence

a 20-year residency in the city

also : residence sense 2c

2

: a territory in a protected state in which the powers of the protecting state are executed by a resident agent

3

a

: a period of advanced training in a medical specialty that normally follows graduation from medical school and licensing to practice medicine

b

: residence sense 4b

c

: a period as an artist in residence

Synonyms of residency

• occupancy
• occupation
• habitation

Examples of residency in a Sentence

You must meet the town's residency requirement in order to vote.

a four-year residency in the country

She recently completed her residency in pediatrics.

Recent Examples on the Web

Also in Portugal, in the Alentejo region south of Lisbon, French collector Lionel Bensemoun has opened Calipo, set in a 17th-century palace with 14 rooms and artist residency spaces. —Gisela Williams, Travel + Leisure, 9 May 2026

The performance was the culmination of discussions that firmed up in September 2025, when the band agreed to a residency and set off on a sprint to assemble a four-act spectacle that captured the grit and grind of the group’s ascent. —Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 8 May 2026

Suci’s residency will conclude with her work being exhibited at the Museum MACAN in Jakarta and at the Collezione Maramotti in Reggio Emilia, Italy. —News Desk, Artforum, 8 May 2026

Admission is free for Naperville residents with proof of residency. —Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for residency

• presidency

Kids Definition

residency

noun

res·​i·​den·​cy ˈrez-əd-ən-sē 

-ə-ˌden(t)-

plural residencies

1

a

: a usually official place of residence

b

: a state or period of residence

a four-year residency in the country

c

: residence sense 2b

applied for residency

2

a

: a period of advanced training especially in a medical specialty that typically follows graduation from medical school

b

: residence sense 3b

Medical Definition

residency

noun

res·​i·​den·​cy ˈrez-əd-ən-sē 

plural residencies

: a period of advanced medical training and education that normally follows graduation from medical school and licensing to practice medicine and that consists of supervised practice of a specialty in a hospital and in its outpatient department and instruction from specialists on the hospital staff

Legal Definition

residency

noun

res·​i·​den·​cy ˈre-zə-dən-sē 

plural residencies

1

: an often official place of residence

2

: the condition of being a resident of a particular place