domestic

play

adjective do·mes·tic \də-ˈmes-tik\

Definition of domestic

1a : living near or about human habitations domestic verminb : tame, domesticated the domestic cat
2 : of, relating to, or originating within a country and especially one's own country domestic politics domestic wines domestic manufacturing all debts foreign and domestic
3 : of or relating to the household or the family domestic chores domestic happiness
4 : devoted to home duties and pleasures leading a quietly domestic life
5 : indigenous a domestic species

domestically

play \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See domestic defined for English-language learners

See domestic defined for kids

Examples of domestic in a Sentence

The company hopes to attract both foreign and domestic investors.
the surest way to maintain domestic peace and harmony is to have everyone pitch in on chores

Recent Examples of domestic from the Web

When Bush's chief of staff and counsel attempted to have the attorney general, John Ashcroft, reauthorize an illegal domestic surveillance program from his hospital bed, Ashcroft, Comey, Mueller, and their aides planned a mass resignation.

— rebecca nelson, Cosmopolitan, "Who Is Christopher Wray? 8 Things You Need to Know About Trump's Nominee to Lead the FBI.", 5 July 2017
The Exchange Club of Naperville hosts the event, which has raised over $15.5 million toward fighting child abuse and domestic abuse in the past 30 years.

— mary salatino, Naperville Sun, "Ribfest ends with a bang", 4 July 2017
To offset that, the central bank has been finding ways to pour that cash back into the domestic economy through new lending tools.

— enda curran, Bloomberg.com, "Reasons You Shouldn’t Worry About Money Flowing Out of China", 3 July 2017
Police said the killing appeared to have been domestic-related.

— ian cummings, laura bauer, tony rizzo, eric adler and robert a. cronkleton the kansas city star, kansascity.com, "Three alleged Tulsa, Okla., gang members among victims in KC’s bloody holiday weekend", 3 July 2017
In the first quarter, gross domestic product grew at just a 1.4% annual rate, while investment in capital equipment, new plants and the like increased 10.4%.

— justin lahart, WSJ, "Economy Is Losing a Big Booster", 30 June 2017
Dependence on imports grew as domestic output fell.

— sheela tobben and laura blewitt, star-telegram.com, "Welcome to the booming Texas port at center of U.S. oil exports", 30 June 2017
Billions of dollars are injected into our nation's economy by domestic shipbuilding — including the steel industry — as well as thousands of high-skilled jobs provided in more than 300 congressional districts across the country.

— kitty conley, Post-Tribune, "Scratching Post", 26 June 2017
Trump’s other priorities, from Syria, China and Russia to domestic issues including immigration, health care and investigations into his administration, have fueled the impression among India-watchers that New Delhi is not on Trump’s radar.

— iain marlow, Bloomberg.com, "Trump Calls Modi 'True Friend' as U.S., India Approach Talks", 25 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'domestic'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of domestic

Middle English, from Middle French domestique, from Latin domesticus, from domus —see ¹dome

NEW!

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

Other Animal Husbandry Terms

apiary, bantam, calico, girth, hogwash, mast, rut

domestic

noun do·mes·tic

Definition of domestic

1 : a servant hired to work for a household Her grandmother worked as a domestic.
2 : an article (such as a rug or blanket) manufactured within one's own country or for use in a household : an article of domestic (see ¹domestic 2) manufacture —usually used in plural

See domestic defined for English-language learners

Examples of domestic in a Sentence

She got in a domestic with her husband.
working as a team, the man and his wife hired themselves out as domestics for wealthy homeowners

Recent Examples of domestic from the Web

In most novels domestics serve only to open and close doors, make meals or assist with the toilette of those who have attained true selfhood.

— chandrahas choudhury, WSJ, "Japan’s Greatest Novelist", 12 May 2017
In these tales, the animal women are generally phenomenal domestics, and the plot usually goes one of two ways.

— jia tolentino, The New Yorker, "Beauty and the Bestiality", 27 Mar. 2017

Origin and Etymology of domestic

see ¹domestic

NEW!

First Known Use: 1613

See Words from the same year

DOMESTIC Defined for English Language Learners

domestic

play

adjective

Definition of domestic for English Language Learners

: of, relating to, or made in your own country
: relating to or involving someone's home or family
: relating to the work (such as cooking and cleaning) that is done in a person's home

domestic

noun

Definition of domestic for English Language Learners

: a servant who is hired to work in someone's home : a domestic servant
: a fight between members of a family or household

DOMESTIC Defined for Kids

domestic

play

adjective do·mes·tic \də-ˈme-stik\

Definition of domestic for Students

1 : relating to a household or a family domestic life
2 : relating to, made in, or done in a person's own country The president spoke about both foreign and domestic issues.
3 : living with or under the care of human beings : tame domestic animals

domestically

\-sti-kə-lē\ adverb

Law Dictionary

domestic

play

adjective do·mes·tic \də-ˈmes-tik\

Legal Definition of domestic

1 : of or relating to the household or family a domestic servant domestic relations — see also family court
2 : of, relating to, or originating within a country or state and especially one's own country or state the state has personal jurisdiction over domestic corporations — compare foreign, municipal