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 French château-style dwelling was built in 1990 and featured a two-story library, wine cellar, tennis court, pool, and home theater. —Claudia Williams, Architectural Digest, 18 June 2026

The death toll was so high partly because many people lived in cave dwellings carved into soft loess soil. —Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 15 June 2026

Like the original Dutch concept, the new Turkish mini dwelling expands its living space dramatically by way of two sidewalls that fold down 90 degrees to deliver extended floor space. —New Atlas, 14 June 2026

Most of the grace-and-favour dwellings are going to their current or retired staff, for example. —Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 12 June 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.