domestic

adjective do·mes·tic \ də-ˈmes-tik \

Updated on: 21 Apr 2018

Definition of domestic

1 a : living near or about human habitations

domestic vermin

b : 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

In 2011, Sarah Hart pleaded guilty to a domestic assault charge in Minnesota for reportedly spanking one of the children.

— Essence.com, "Devonte Hart's Adoptive Mother Intoxicated, Children Possibly Drugged In Case Of Woman Who Drove Family Off Cliff," 17 Apr. 2018
Days before that, singer Trey Songz was arrested for felony domestic assault.

— michael arceneaux, WIRED, "Why the Music Industry Hasn't Had Its #MeToo Moment," 13 Apr. 2018
In June, 2014, Kansas City police arrested him for domestic assault.

— marie mccullough, Philly.com, "Man in U.S. illegally sentenced for kidnap, rape," 13 Apr. 2018
Michael Lee, 32, of Leesburg, had been in jail for violating probation from a 2016 domestic battery charge involving his ex.

— jason ruiter, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Lake County Jail inmate accused of offering 'trays of food,' $2K for hitman to kill ex-wife and her boyfriend," 12 Apr. 2018
And while living in Minnesota in 2011, Sarah Hart pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor domestic assault charge in connection to one of the daughters, Abigail, court records show.

— NBC News, "Child welfare came to Hart family home just hours before deadly cliff plunge, 911 call reveals," 11 Apr. 2018
In addition, Warrick was booked on charges of simple criminal damage to property, simple burglary and drug and domestic abuse charges that are unrelated to the robberies, NOPD said Monday.

— marie simoneaux, NOLA.com, "Stolen cellphone leads police to 3 teens accused in 13 armed robberies in a week: NOPD," 9 Apr. 2018
In 2011, Sarah Hart pleaded guilty to domestic assault for spanking her 6-year-old adopted daughter in Minnesota, according to the Associated Press.

— beatrice dupuy, Teen Vogue, "Devonte Hart, the Teen From a Viral Mike Brown Protest Photo, Is Still Missing," 3 Apr. 2018
Court records show that in 2011, Sarah Hart pleaded guilty to a domestic assault charge in Douglas County, Minn., a plea that led to the dismissal of a charge of malicious punishment of a child.

— breanna edwards, The Root, "Authorities Acknowledge That Car Crash That Killed Hart Family May Have Been Intentional," 2 Apr. 2018

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! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

domestic Synonyms

Other Animal Husbandry Terms

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

domestic

noun

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

The various domestics seasons will then begin their 2018/19 campaign in mid to late August.

— SI.com, "Fixtures Announced: Man Utd, Real Madrid & Barcelona Among Giants Heading to USA for Huge 2018 ICC," 18 Apr. 2018
Local newspaper reporters would travel with the team, dine with the team and sometimes have one too many cold domestics with the team.

— amos barshad, New York Times, "What Happens When Athletes Do the Sportswriting?," 21 Feb. 2018
Non-violent domestics, Rushton Road: Officers responded to a home at 11:30 p.m. Jan. 14 after a man reported his daughter, 18, had threatened him.

— andy attina / cleveland.com, cleveland.com, "Officers break up sibling fight in Taco Bell parking lot: South Euclid Police Blotter," 24 Jan. 2018
Most came from working-class black women, mainly domestics, who made up nearly 70% of the bus ridership.

— kirsten west savali, The Root, "Rosa Parks, Recy Taylor and Gertrude Perkins Are Mothers of the #MeToo Movement," 8 Jan. 2018
Exotic woods like jatoba and tigerwood join the domestics of holly, walnut, birch and ash in details of the interior.

— anne raup, Anchorage Daily News, "Rocket Man: Bill Guernsey and his Atomic Camper," 28 Sep. 2016
My grandparents were all domestics, and there's no shame in that.

— Essence.com, "Natural Born Leader: Odyssey Media CEO Linda Spradley Dunn Is Making Sure Women Of Color Call The Shots," 30 Oct. 2017
But the flexibility of domestic as well as foreign customers is making gas production in the area more attractive to investors.

— lynn cook, WSJ, "An Old Fracking Hot Spot Makes a Comeback," 17 Oct. 2017
And domestics wearing upper-class castoffs, especially young and pretty ones, led to embarrassing mix-ups.

— shelley puhak, The Atlantic, "The Underclass Origins of the Little Black Dress," 13 Oct. 2017

Origin and Etymology of domestic

see ¹domestic

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1613

See Words from the same year

domestic Synonyms

Synonyms

flunky (also flunkey), lackey, menial, retainer, servant, slavey, steward;

Antonyms

master, mistress;

Near Antonyms

boss, captain, chief, foreman, head, headman, helmsman, kingpin, leader, taskmaster;

handmaiden (also handmaid), housekeeper, housemaid, lady-in-waiting, maid, maidservant, woman;

DOMESTIC Defined for English Language Learners

domestic

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

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

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

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See words that rhyme with domestic Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for domestic Spanish Central: Translation of domestic Nglish: Translation of domestic for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of domestic for Arabic speakers

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domestic

Definition of domestic

domestically

Examples of domestic in a Sentence

Recent Examples of domestic from the Web

Origin and Etymology of domestic

domestic Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Other Animal Husbandry Terms

domestic

Definition of domestic

Examples of domestic in a Sentence

Recent Examples of domestic from the Web

Origin and Etymology of domestic

domestic Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

DOMESTIC Defined for English Language Learners

domestic

Definition of domestic for English Language Learners

domestic

Definition of domestic for English Language Learners

DOMESTIC Defined for Kids

domestic

Definition of domestic for Students

domestically

Law Dictionary

domestic

legal Definition of domestic

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