domestic

1 of 2

adjective

do·​mes·​tic də-ˈme-stik How to pronounce domestic (audio)
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 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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 See All Example Sentences for domestic

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of domestic was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Domestic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/domestic. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

domestic

1 of 2 adjective
do·​mes·​tic də-ˈmes-tik How to pronounce domestic (audio)
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 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 How to pronounce domestic (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on domestic

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