dwelling

noun

dwell·​ing ˈdwe-liŋ 

: a shelter (such as a house) in which people live

Synonyms of dwelling

• residence
• abode
• house
• roof
• lodging
• home
• housing

Examples of dwelling in a Sentence

the simple dwellings in which the Pilgrims spent the first winter at Plymouth

Recent Examples on the Web

However, this model recalls the small living movement's roots with a compact cabin-like dwelling that runs off-the-grid and embraces rustic styling. —New Atlas, 8 Jan. 2026

The dwelling, originally built in 1988 by the late architect Costas Kondylis, features a grand living room equipped with an electric fireplace. —India Roby, Architectural Digest, 6 Jan. 2026

The city of Denver, for instance, which collects compost from homes and smaller apartment dwellings, doesn’t take tea bags, coffee filters or certified compostable products such as takeout containers or cups. —Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 4 Jan. 2026

Join the tiny home community by adding this Generic Tiny Home to your cart, or keep scrolling to see more move-in-ready dwellings available at Amazon. —Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 4 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see dwell

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing dwelling

• dwelling place
• lake dwelling
• two-family house/dwelling

Rhymes for dwelling

• belling
• celling
• fehling
• felling
• gelling
• pelling
• quelling
• selling
• shelling
• smelling
• spelling
• swelling

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.