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

Reid is facing 10 charges, including burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, burglary of an occupied dwelling and criminal mischief of more than $200 but less than $1,000, jail records show. —Sofia Saric may 7, Miami Herald, 7 May 2026

Custom-built in 1989 for the late rocker Tom Petty and his first wife, Jane Benyo, the palatial, three-story dwelling was renovated and expanded before Gomez’s ownership. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 5 May 2026

However, the Jackson family would only stay at the Mediterranean-style dwelling for three years before leaving in 1971, as the excessive noise of the band’s rehearsals disturbed the neighbors. —India Roby, Architectural Digest, 4 May 2026

In a twist of prehistoric irony, our ancestors’ hunting skills proved too effective, leading to the extinction of mammoths around 10,000 years ago—and mammoth-bone dwellings with them. —Literary Hub, 1 May 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.