domestic

1 of 2

adjective

do·​mes·​tic də-ˈme-stik 

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

də-ˈme-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

domestic

2 of 2

noun

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 domestic entry 1 sense 2) manufacture

—usually used in plural

Synonyms

Adjective

• familial
• household

Noun

• servant

Examples of domestic in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Noun

She got in a domestic with her husband.

working as a team, the couple hired themselves out as domestics for wealthy homeowners

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Trump’s allies recently launched a Super PAC to oust Massie, who is up for re-election next year and opposed the President’s domestic policy bill. —Nik Popli, Time, 21 July 2025

Middle-class women whipped up quiche Lorraine and ambrosia salads (often with the help of Black domestic workers, who were excluded from Social Security). —Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 21 July 2025

Noun

Smurfs 2 opened to $17.5M domestic in 2013, and legged out to $71M stateside and $347.5M global. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 16 July 2025

The Forty Steps, located at the end of Narragansett Avenue a half mile north of the Breakers, was a popular meeting spot for Gilded Age domestics, especially Irish servants, who gathered there to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. —AFAR Media, 3 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

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

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing domestic

• court of domestic relations
• domestic animal
• domestic emoluments clause
• domestic partner
• domestic prelate
• domestic relations court
• domestic science
• domestic shorthair
• domestic violence
• gross domestic product
• non-domestic

Rhymes for domestic

• majestic

Kids Definition

domestic

1 of 2 adjective

do·​mes·​tic də-ˈmes-tik 

1

a

: living near or about the places where human beings live

domestic vermin

b

: living with or under the care of human beings : tame

a domestic cat

2

: of, relating to, made in, or done in one's own country

domestic steel

3

: of or relating to a household or family

domestic chores

domestically

-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

domestic

2 of 2 noun

: a household servant

Etymology

Adjective

from early French domestique "living around humans, domestic," from Latin domesticus (same meaning), from domus "house" — related to dome, domicile

Legal Definition

domestic

adjective

do·​mes·​tic də-ˈmes-tik 

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