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

The Democrat helped pass a 2024 law prohibiting cities and counties from limiting the number of unrelated people who could live together in a single dwelling. — Paula Span, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026

Elijah Bieniemy, 27, was arrested and charged with malicious wounding, use of a firearm during the commission of a felony and discharge of a firearm inside of a dwelling. — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026

Making the incident more horrific, their 27-year-old son, Elijah Zion Bieniemy, has been arrested and charged with malicious wounding, use of a firearm, and discharging a firearm inside a dwelling; he is currently held without bond. — Jeff Fedotin, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Elijah Zion Bieniemy, 27, was arrested and booked on suspicion of malicious wounding, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, and discharge of a firearm inside of a dwelling, according to a sheriff’s statement. — Joe Kottke, NBC news, 27 July 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.