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 area is charming, with the houses themselves a mishmash of shapes of colors—miniature, red roof dwellings decorated with wooden panels are piled next to slim, towering town houses embellished with sweeping bay windows. — Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Aug. 2026

About 40 Gullah Geechee still live on the island year-round in modest dwellings, such as cottages and single-wide trailers. — Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 8 Aug. 2026

Boulder’s ordinary short-term rental rules require a dwelling to be the owner’s principal residence, meaning an owner must occupy the dwelling for more than half the year. — Tim Komarek, The Conversation, 5 Aug. 2026

Usher’s taste for dark walls continued in this dwelling, where the double-height entryway featured numerous contemporary artworks highlighted against jet-black walls and a grand staircase with wrought-iron railing. — Joyce Chen, Architectural Digest, 4 Aug. 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.