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

Further details on the dwelling are scant—including whether or not Burrow still owns it. — Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 12 Nov. 2026

Most recently, Garcia pleaded guilty to felony trespass of an inhabited dwelling, stemming from an incident in Adams County in 2025. — Olivia Young, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026

Instead, the production custom built all of the Budgell family’s dwellings. — Rachel Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Nov. 2026

Hobart homeowners who apply for the $500 tax credit must be 65 years of age or older and have a homestead exemption on their dwelling. — Jim Masters, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 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.