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

This approach is borne out in the rich psychoanalytic literature on empathy and emotional dwelling. — Steven Barrie-Anthony, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2026

Built for indoor-outdoor living, the Los Angeles–area dwelling features an open floor plan that spills out to the yard via hideaway glass walls. — Architectural Digest, 15 Sep. 2026

No one can be forced outside the borders of this infinite dwelling or flee from it. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 15 Sep. 2026

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

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.