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 other bands of Yavapai also ranged between summer and winter dwellings within their own territories. —Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 27 Feb. 2026

Which leaves people like Olivo, Torres and tens of thousands of other Miamians to continue languishing in temporary dwellings. —Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026

The city had permitted the project to partially demolish a preexisting, two-story, two-unit dwelling, which was planned to be enlarged into a four-story, seven-unit building, a DOB spokesman said. —Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 26 Feb. 2026

Landscape architect Paul Ortega has surrounded the home with native plants and rock gardens that continue the humble dwelling’s stone theme. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 26 Feb. 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.