1
: the place where one lives : home
were reluctant to leave their lifelong abode
Welcome to my humble abode.
2
: a temporary stay : sojourn
… if any such dares to continue his abode in a family where his coming was an unauthorized intrusion …Walter Scott
3
obsolete : wait, delay

Examples of abode in a Sentence

welcome to my humble abode
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The symbolism of a Caucasian family welcoming a stranger — an immigrant who doesn’t look like them — to share their abode, forcefully counters how immigrants to our shores often are othered and ostracized. Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025 Keep scrolling to check out all this minimalist abode has to offer. Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025 The 1800s abode still had its distinct historical exterior and solid bones, but to create the best space to accommodate their family, Mattingly and Botkins completely gutted its interior. Lennie Omalza, Louisville Courier Journal, 30 Oct. 2025 Families would share accommodations, with Rensch recalling sharing beds with other kids across multiple abodes. Ben Morse, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for abode

Word History

Etymology

Middle English abade, abode, from bade, bode "stay, delay" (going back to Old English bād "expectation, period of waiting," probably going back to Germanic *baiđ-, noun derivative from the base of *bīđ- "wait, bide") crossed with abiden "to abide"

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of abode was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Abode.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abode. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

abode

noun
: the place where one stays or lives

Legal Definition

abode

past and past participle of abide

More from Merriam-Webster on abode

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