housing

1 of 3

noun (1)

hous·​ing ˈhau̇-ziŋ 

1

a

: shelter, lodging

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 3

noun (2)

: caparison sense 1

housing

3 of 3

present participle of house entry 2

Synonyms of housing

Noun (1)

• casing
• sheath
• covering
• case
• cover

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

Noun

Ease regulations and improve supply Both Republican and Democratic candidates have proposed relief from regulations as a means of achieving greater efficiency, especially in the area of housing. — ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026

Channel ports, housing for asylum seekers and even the lifeboat charity that rescues people in danger at sea have been targeted by anti-migrant protests encouraged by far-right activists. — Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026

Essential projects include but are not limited to housing, healthcare facilities, clean energy, police and fire stations, and education facilities. — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026

Lake County families, like those across the nation, are coping with higher prices for gasoline, groceries, housing and health care. — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026

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

Phrases Containing housing

• housing development
• housing estate
• housing project
• housing starts
• housing stock
• low-income housing
• social housing

Rhymes for housing

• browsing
• rehousing
• rousing
• arousing
• carousing
• espousing
• warehousing

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

: caparison sense 1