dwelling

noun

dwell·​ing ˈdwe-liŋ How to pronounce dwelling (audio)
: a shelter (such as a house) in which people live

Examples of dwelling in a Sentence

the simple dwellings in which the Pilgrims spent the first winter at Plymouth
Recent Examples on the Web In our smaller beach cities, smaller homes, accessory dwelling units and small-scale apartments are more appropriate and still provide the housing diversity our residents need. The San Diego Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Feb. 2024 Each of the two levels has an apartment and there is an accessory dwelling unit in the yard, authorities said. Harry Harris, The Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2024 Accessory dwelling units are smaller homes with their own kitchen, bathroom and sleeping area on the same lots as larger single-family homes, according to a presentation in front of the council Feb. 6. Dillon Mullan, Baltimore Sun, 14 Feb. 2024 Design time Curious about building an accessory dwelling unit on your property? Carolina A. Miranda, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2024 Bloomington's Herald-Times reported that the structures, approved as an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), add two more addresses to his property in the near west side neighborhood. Jenny Porter Tilley, The Indianapolis Star, 31 Jan. 2024 The dispensary would operate Monday through Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. It would also be located more than 1,100 feet from the nearest place of worship and dwelling unit, and is 3,000 feet from the nearest school, satisfying the city's distance requirements for marijuana facilities. The Arizona Republic, 31 Jan. 2024 If the settlement delivers the dwelling to one spouse, then that spouse probably also inherits the mortgage payments. USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2024 His house sits in a line of mini dwellings, the smallest of which is just 350 square feet. Conor Dougherty, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dwelling.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see dwell

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dwelling was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near dwelling

Cite this Entry

“Dwelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dwelling. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

dwelling

noun
dwell·​ing
ˈdwel-iŋ
: a shelter in which people live : house

Legal Definition

dwelling

noun
dwell·​ing
: a structure where a person lives and especially sleeps

called also dwelling house

see also burglary

Note: Courts disagree as to how permanent or consistent the habitation of a structure must be in order for it to be considered a dwelling, but most courts agree that a dwelling includes its curtilage.

More from Merriam-Webster on dwelling

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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