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

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

On a recent Saturday, Teo Bugbee was on line with 20 or so other people outside a Bed-Stuy brownstone, waiting to get a look at what seemed like a unicorn apartment. — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 21 July 2026

Skeletal remains were found inside a vacant brownstone in East Harlem, police said Thursday. — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 9 July 2026

The divide is most prominent in the 10th Congressional District, which spans Lower Manhattan and brownstone neighborhoods of Brooklyn like Cobble Hill and Park Slope. — Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 23 June 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