dwelling

1 of 2

noun

dwell·​ing ˈdwe-liŋ 

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

dwelling

2 of 2

present participle of dwell

Synonyms of dwelling

Noun

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

Examples of dwelling in a Sentence

Noun

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Fred and Betty outside Sarah's old house Sarah's house didn't look much bigger than the slave dwelling. — Lesley Stahl, CBS News, 6 Sep. 2026

Three adults and three children inside a backyard dwelling were evacuated unhurt by sheriff’s deputies during the standoff. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2026

They are legally protected in all these countries, but given their remote mountain habitat and inaccessible high‑elevation dwellings, their conservation did not gain urgency until recently. — Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2026

The Clintons still own the 11-room dwelling, which has served as their primary residence since Bill’s second term as president ended in 2001. — Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 2 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

see dwell

First Known Use

Noun

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.