housing

1 of 2

noun (1)

hous·​ing ˈhau̇-ziŋ How to pronounce housing (audio)
1
b
: dwellings provided for people
2
a
: a niche for a sculpture
b
: the space taken out of a structural member (such as a timber) to admit the insertion of part of another
3
: something that covers or protects: such as
a
: a case or enclosure (as for a mechanical part or an instrument)
b
: a casing (such as an enclosed bearing) in which a shaft revolves
c
: a support (such as a frame) for mechanical parts

housing

2 of 2

noun (2)

Examples of housing in a Sentence

Noun (1) a camera with a waterproof housing for taking pictures of coral reefs and other underwater features
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.
Noun
While Albanese was criticized for not doing enough to tame rising living costs during his first term, in the years ahead he’s promised a tax cut, cheaper medicines, lower deposits for first-time buyers and 1.2 million houses to ease the housing crisis. Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 4 May 2025 Howard Ruby, the founder of Oakwood Worldwide, the company that provides furnished, extended stay housing, and the husband of late actress Yvette Mimieux, died Monday of natural causes in Los Angeles, a publicist announced. Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 2 May 2025 There is no sustainable or reasonable way to make rent costs come down for New Yorkers, particularly at the lower income bands, without simply constructing a lot more housing in general. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 2 May 2025 Created by Best Friends Animal Society, the shelter is the world's largest no-kill animal sanctuary, housing over 1,600 rescue animals. Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 2 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for housing

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

Middle English, from house housing (from Anglo-French huce, houce, of Germanic origin) + -ing; akin to Middle High German hulft covering

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

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

Cite this Entry

“Housing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/housing. Accessed 7 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

housing

1 of 2 noun
hous·​ing
ˈhau̇-ziŋ
1
a
: the shelter of a temporary or permanent structure (as a tent or house) : lodging
b
: dwellings provided for people
housing for the elderly
2
a
: something that covers or protects
b
: a support (as a frame) for mechanical parts

housing

2 of 2 noun

More from Merriam-Webster on housing

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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