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

For most of his career, Talese has worked in an office in the basement of his brownstone, on New York's Upper East Side. — Kelefa Sanneh, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026

The neighborhood's historic brownstones, access to Prospect Park and urban lifestyle that doesn't require living in Manhattan is drawing more people in. — Greta Cross, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026

But despite brownstones, diners, skyscrapers and bridges, this city is no recognizable metropolis — plus, it’s all bathed in a luminous purple glow. — Pat Saperstein, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026

The brownstone’s previous owner died several years ago before the property was transformed into eight condominium units under historic preservation guidelines. — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 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