habitation

noun

hab·​i·​ta·​tion ˌha-bə-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce habitation (audio)
1
: the act of inhabiting : occupancy
not fit for human habitation
2
: a dwelling place
3

Examples of habitation in a Sentence

The house was not fit for human habitation. a wilderness area with few habitations
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The base itself was a study in the feasibility of long-term human habitation on the ice sheet. Katie Hunt, CNN, 15 Mar. 2025 All of this is now possible thanks to an advanced 3D printing-welding approach that can print these large habitation structures. IEEE Spectrum, 31 Dec. 2024 Ice may lie an inch or so below the Moon’s surface in many more regions than previously thought — which has major implications for longer-term lunar exploration or even habitation. Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 6 Mar. 2025 The research builds on mysterious archaeological evidence that points to early human habitation in the ISEA, despite most of it being never connected to mainland Asia by land bridges or ice sheets. Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for habitation

Word History

Etymology

Middle English habitacioun, from Anglo-French habitaciun, from Latin habitation-, habitatio, from habitare to inhabit, frequentative of habēre

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of habitation was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Habitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/habitation. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

habitation

noun
hab·​i·​ta·​tion ˌhab-ə-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce habitation (audio)
1
: the act of inhabiting : occupancy
2
: a dwelling place : residence

Legal Definition

habitation

noun
hab·​i·​ta·​tion ˌha-bə-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce habitation (audio)
1
a
: the act of occupying or inhabiting
b
in the civil law of Louisiana : the right of a person to dwell in the house of another
2
: a dwelling place

More from Merriam-Webster on habitation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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