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

This brownstone belonged to Ryan Hickey and was home to many professional skaters throughout the ’90s and early aughts. —Alex Corporan, Curbed, 12 June 2025

Her bright red shirt stands out in screaming color against the neutral brownstone buildings of Soho. —Bryan West, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025

Its main entrance, at Twenty-fifth Street and Fifth Avenue, is marked by an imposing brownstone Gothic Revival structure, the Arch, where a pandemonium of monk parakeets has long kept an elaborate nest. —Paige Williams, New Yorker, 2 June 2025

Homeowners Sara and Luke Bronin exposed the brownstone’s historic staircase, installed new building systems and recreated a matching bay window. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 2 May 2025

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