house·hold
ˈhau̇s-ˌhōld 
ˈhau̇-ˌsōld
: those who dwell under the same roof and compose a family
also
: a social unit composed of those living together in the same dwelling
Synonyms
Examples of household in a Sentence
Noun
At that time, not many households had telephones.
the dish became a household word because of the sudden popularity of the cuisine
Adjective
they spent the weekend at home, attending to household chores
“ozone” is now a household word, thanks to global warming
Recent Examples on the Web
Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 21 Apr. 2024
Most mini-succulents are comfortable with an average household humidity of 30–50 percent.
—Lynn McAlpine, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Apr. 2024
In addition, one in seven said there was sometimes or often not enough to eat at home in the previous seven days, the latest Census household pulse survey shows.
—Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2024
However, higher rates, when consumer debt load topped $17 trillion, effectively caused household expenses to increase.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Apr. 2024
Like other grocers, Wegmans also reviews demographics like household income, education, spending and visibility.
—Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 18 Apr. 2024
Miniso — a Chinese company that sells everything from household goods to food and beverages — is opening on the mall’s lower level this month, according to a release.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2024
To qualify for free school meals, a family of four must have an annual household income of at or below $39,000.
—The Arizona Republic, 18 Apr. 2024
President Joe Biden discussed in Pittsburgh on Wednesday the importance of computer chips that power everything from weapons to artificial intelligence to household appliances such as refrigerators.
—Josh Boak, Fortune, 18 Apr. 2024
Kara Nelson, CNN, 5 Mar. 2024
Hancock said in the statement that his family canceled their traditional multi-household Thanksgiving celebration.
—NBC News, 25 Nov. 2020
Stress, overexertion and seasonal factors are some of the most common non-household triggers.
—Talis Shelbourne, jsonline.com, 26 Aug. 2022
In 2022, Netflix limited password-sharing in Latin America, asking members to pay an additional fee to share their accounts with non-household members.
—Irina Ivanova, CBS News, 25 Jan. 2023
To address this, Netflix is testing ways for subscribers in certain countries such as Peru and Chile to pay $2 to $3 more to add non-household members to their plans.
—Wendy Leestaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2022
The toughest restrictions since the pandemic began are to go into effect today, including an unprecedented move to limit multi-household gatherings on private premises to two families.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 10 Feb. 2022
The toughest restrictions since the pandemic began are set to come into effect on Thursday, including an unprecedented move to limit multi-household gatherings on private premises to two families.
—Shirley Zhao, Bloomberg.com, 9 Feb. 2022
Non-household members visited us outside in the backyard.
—Rob Relyea, CNN, 13 Apr. 2022
Noun
The 2024 Cost of Care Report from the caregiver site Care.com found that the average family spends 24% of household income on child care.
—Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 21 Apr. 2024
Most mini-succulents are comfortable with an average household humidity of 30–50 percent.
—Lynn McAlpine, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Apr. 2024
In addition, one in seven said there was sometimes or often not enough to eat at home in the previous seven days, the latest Census household pulse survey shows.
—Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2024
However, higher rates, when consumer debt load topped $17 trillion, effectively caused household expenses to increase.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Apr. 2024
Like other grocers, Wegmans also reviews demographics like household income, education, spending and visibility.
—Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 18 Apr. 2024
Miniso — a Chinese company that sells everything from household goods to food and beverages — is opening on the mall’s lower level this month, according to a release.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2024
To qualify for free school meals, a family of four must have an annual household income of at or below $39,000.
—The Arizona Republic, 18 Apr. 2024
President Joe Biden discussed in Pittsburgh on Wednesday the importance of computer chips that power everything from weapons to artificial intelligence to household appliances such as refrigerators.
—Josh Boak, Fortune, 18 Apr. 2024
Adjective
Sources of 2023 household debt in the US include:
Credit Cards: $1.13 trillion
Mortgage: $12.25 trillion
Auto Loans: 1.61 trillion
Student Loans: $1.6 trillion
Outstanding balances also include debt from retail credit cards, consumer loans and other non-household expenses.
—Kara Nelson, CNN, 5 Mar. 2024
Hancock said in the statement that his family canceled their traditional multi-household Thanksgiving celebration.
—NBC News, 25 Nov. 2020
Stress, overexertion and seasonal factors are some of the most common non-household triggers.
—Talis Shelbourne, jsonline.com, 26 Aug. 2022
In 2022, Netflix limited password-sharing in Latin America, asking members to pay an additional fee to share their accounts with non-household members.
—Irina Ivanova, CBS News, 25 Jan. 2023
To address this, Netflix is testing ways for subscribers in certain countries such as Peru and Chile to pay $2 to $3 more to add non-household members to their plans.
—Wendy Leestaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2022
The toughest restrictions since the pandemic began are to go into effect today, including an unprecedented move to limit multi-household gatherings on private premises to two families.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 10 Feb. 2022
The toughest restrictions since the pandemic began are set to come into effect on Thursday, including an unprecedented move to limit multi-household gatherings on private premises to two families.
—Shirley Zhao, Bloomberg.com, 9 Feb. 2022
Non-household members visited us outside in the backyard.
—Rob Relyea, CNN, 13 Apr. 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'household.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near household
Cite this Entry
“Household.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/household. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
household
1 of 2 noun
house·hold
ˈhau̇s-ˌhōld
ˈhau̇-ˌsōld
: those who live as a family in one house
also
: a social unit made up of those living together in the same house
household
2 of 2 adjective1
: of or relating to a household : domestic
2
: familiar entry 2 sense 3a, common
a household word
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