house

noun, often attributive

\ˈhau̇s

plural houses\ˈhau̇-zəz

also -səz

Definition of house

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : a building that serves as living quarters for one or a few families : home invited them to her house for dinner a two-family house

2a(1) : a shelter or refuge (such as a nest or den) of a wild animal

(2) : a natural covering (such as a test or shell) that encloses and protects an animal or a colony of zooids

b : a building in which something is sheltered or stored a carriage house

3a astrology : one of the 12 equal sectors (see sector entry 1 sense 1a) in which the celestial sphere is divided

b astrology : a sign of the zodiac that is the seat of a planet's greatest influence the house occupied by Jupiter

4a : household woke up the whole house

b : a family including ancestors, descendants, and kindred the house of Tudor

5a : a residence for a religious community or for students a fraternity house

b : the community or students living in such a residence

6a government : a legislative, deliberative, or consultative assembly especially : one constituting a division of a bicameral body a bill approved by both houses of Congress

b : the building or chamber where such an assembly meets

c : a quorum of such an assembly

7a : a place of business or entertainment a movie house the local fish house a house of prostitution

b(1) : a business organization a publishing house

(2) : a gambling establishment

c : the audience in a theater or concert hall a full house on opening night

8 curling : the circular area 12 feet in diameter surrounding the tee and within which a curling stone must rest in order to count

9 [ from The Warehouse, Chicago dance club that pioneered the style ] : a type of dance music mixed by a disc jockey that features overdubbing with a heavy repetitive drumbeat and repeated electronic melody lines

on the house

: without charge : free

house

verb

\ˈhau̇z

housed; housing

Definition of house (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

1a : to provide with living quarters or shelter a place to house their guests

b : to store in a building the barn where they house their boat

2 : to encase, enclose, or shelter as if by putting in a house (see house entry 1) so timorous a soul housed in so impressive a body— A. W. Long

3 : to serve as a shelter or container for : contain buildings that house government offices

intransitive verb

: to take shelter : lodge

House

biographical name

\ˈhau̇s

Definition of House (Entry 3 of 3)

Edward Mandell 1858–1938 Colonel House American diplomat

Other Words from house Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about house

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Other Words from house

Noun

houseful \ˈhau̇s-ˌfu̇l

\ noun

houseless \ˈhau̇-sləs

\ adjective

houselessness noun

Examples of house in a Sentence

Noun

Would you like to come to my house for dinner? I spent the weekend just puttering around the house. He made enough noise to wake the whole house.

Verb

More prisons are needed to house the growing number of inmates. The museum houses an impressive collection of jewels. The carpenter built casing to house the hot water pipes.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The dangers of formaldehyde have long been known Formaldehyde is a colorless gas that’s used to make building materials like particleboard, plywood, and fiberboard — so it’s found in our houses and furniture. — Julia Belluz, Vox, "Formaldehyde causes cancer. The EPA doesn’t want to acknowledge it.," 6 July 2018 When a Meridian police officer went to serve the arrest warrant for the kidnapping solicitation, Norris fled in his vehicle, led the officer on a chase through his Meridian neighborhood, then went back to his house, where he was apprehended. — Cynthia Sewell, idahostatesman, "He said he was on a path to 'positive change.' Then came prison time, & the shootout," 5 July 2018 Houston fire stations lack in-house gear cleaners and just one has a system to protect firefighters from poisonous diesel fumes. — Zach Despart, Houston Chronicle, "Amid probe of HFD, Texas fire commission adopts stricter rule on gear cleaning," 13 July 2018 Durtschi, his wife and their six children moved into the house just two weeks ago. — Andrea Castillo And John Wilkens, Anchorage Daily News, "California city devastated by brush fire as record heat burns a path of destruction," 7 July 2018 The dog escaped, however, when a family member came into the house. — John R. Ellement, BostonGlobe.com, "Boston police fatally shoot ‘vicious’ pit bull that owner says she was trying to control," 5 July 2018 At the foot of the stairs, a theater room is one of the only spaces in the house without windows. — Emma Austin, The Courier-Journal, "Airiness in craftsman-style home creates inviting, family-centered space," 5 July 2018 The two would then go back into the house until their hands thawed and return to hit more balls in the garage. — Steve Dimeglio, USA TODAY, "Tony Finau is having his best year after dislocating ankle, changing putting grip," 4 July 2018 Investigators think Duran also may have tried to break into another house, Skinner told the station. — Don Sweeney, sacbee, "Out of prison just 8 days, Oregon man stabs homeowner to death, police say," 3 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

According to Disney, the property will house its New York corporate offices, TV production spaces and streaming services. — Mark Skoneki, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Disney acquires rights to New York property for $650 million — report," 11 July 2018 The university has identified numerous lots for purchase and renovation; these properties will ultimately house the burgeoning academic and research programs. — Jeffrey Barken, Jewish Journal, "Haifa's on the rise with university leading the way," 11 July 2018 Germany would set up camps along the Austrian border to house secondary migrants while their status was reviewed. — New York Times, "Germany’s Europe-Shaking Political Crisis Over Migrants, Explained," 3 July 2018 The Pentagon said in its statement that it was asked to find a way to house 2,000 people within 45 days, and set a timeline to house 10,000 more. — Sadie Gurman, WSJ, "Pentagon Is Asked to Prepare Housing for 12,000 Migrants," 28 June 2018 Struggling to ramp up production of its critical Model 3 electric sedan, Tesla put up a cavernous tent behind its Fremont factory to house a new production line. — David R. Baker, SFChronicle.com, "Tesla’s rush to crank up production revealed in building permits," 28 June 2018 Pentagon officials this week confirmed that the military has been directed to build tent camps at two bases in Texas to temporarily house migrants. — Jazmine Ulloa, latimes.com, "Separated at the border, parents and children must deal with a web of agencies," 27 June 2018 Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told reporters that two Texas military bases — Fort Bliss near El Paso and Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo — will soon house migrants who were detained after illegally entering the United States. — Shannon Najmabadi And Matthew Choi, star-telegram, "Border official says agency not referring immigrant families for prosecution," 25 June 2018 In Alexandria, Virginia, a board overseeing the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center voted this week to end its contract to house federal immigration detainees, bowing to public pressure. — Michael Biesecker, chicagotribune.com, "Beatings, bags over their heads, racial slurs: Young migrants detained in Virginia allege abuse in lawsuit," 21 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'house.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for house

house

noun

English Language Learners Definition of house

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a building in which a family lives

: the people who live in a house

: a structure or shelter in which animals are kept

house

verb

English Language Learners Definition of house (Entry 2 of 2)

: to provide shelter or a living space for (someone)

: to be a shelter for (something) : to store or contain (something)

: to surround or enclose (something) in order to protect it

See the full definition for house in the English Language Learners Dictionary

house

noun

\ˈhau̇s

plural houses\ˈhau̇-zəz \

Kids Definition of house

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a place built for people to live in

2 : something (as a nest or den) used by an animal for shelter

3 : a building in which something is kept a carriage house

4 : household entry 1 Her noise woke up the whole house.

5 : a body of persons assembled to make the laws for a country The United States Congress is made up of two houses.

6 : a business firm a publishing house

7 : the audience in a theater or concert hall

8 : family sense 2 the house of Windsor

on the house

: free of charge Dessert is on the house.

house

verb

\ˈhau̇z

housed; housing

Kids Definition of house (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : to provide with living quarters or shelter

2 : contain sense 2 All three movies are housed in a single set.

house

noun

Legal Definition of house

1a : a building (as a single or multiple family house, apartment, or hotel room) serving as living quarters and usually including the curtilage

b : a building (as one's residence or a locked place of business) in which one is entitled to protection (as from warrantless searches and seizures) under the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

2a : a legislative assembly especially that constitutes a division of a bicameral body

b : the building or chamber where such an assembly meets

c : a quorum of such an assembly