brownstone

noun

brown·​stone ˈbrau̇n-ˌstōn 

1

: a reddish-brown sandstone used for building

2

: a dwelling faced with brownstone

Examples of brownstone in a Sentence

She lives in a beautiful brownstone in Manhattan.

Recent Examples on the Web

Legend posted photos alongside Esti and Luna standing on some snowy steps outside a brownstone, he, Teigen and the kids posing by the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree at night, and Esti and Luna on a horse ride in Central Park. —Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026

Lander, whose political base is in brownstone Brooklyn, has positioned himself to the left of Goldman on most issues and has sidelined other potential progressive challengers like Councilwoman Alexa Aviles. —Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2026

The material and the high level of artisanal craftsmanship help break down the building’s scale and connect it to Cobble Hill’s historic brownstones. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 5 Jan. 2026

Back Bay is a historic neighborhood known for its historic brownstones. —Riley Rourke, CBS News, 3 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for brownstone

• alone
• atone
• backbone
• bemoan
• bluestone
• breastbone
• capstone
• cheekbone
• condone
• curbstone
• cyclone
• dethrone

Kids Definition

brownstone

noun

brown·​stone ˈbrau̇n-ˌstōn 

1

: a reddish brown sandstone used for building

2

: a dwelling covered with a layer of brownstone