house

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

3a astrology :  one of the 12 equal sectors (see ¹sector 1a) in which the celestial sphere is dividedb 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 houseb :  a family including ancestors, descendants, and kindred the house of Tudor

5a :  a residence for a religious community or for students a fraternity houseb :  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 Congressb :  the building or chamber where such an assembly meetsc :  a quorum of such an assembly

7a :  a place of business or entertainment a movie house the local fish house a house of prostitutionb (1) :  a business organization a publishing house (2) :  a gambling establishmentc :  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