lodge

1 of 2

verb

ˈläj 

lodged; lodging

transitive verb

1

a(1)

: to provide temporary quarters for

The refugees need to be lodged and fed.

(2)

: to rent lodgings to

hoped that they would lodge him for the winter

b

: to establish or settle in a place

The troops lodged themselves in the town.

2

: to serve as a receptacle for : contain

a sinus lodging the nerve and artery of the part

3

: to beat (a crop) flat to the ground

4

: to bring to an intended or a fixed position (as by throwing or thrusting)

5

: to deposit for safeguard or preservation

agents collect the rent for the land, and lodge it in the bank

—G. B. Shaw

6

: to place or vest especially in a source, means, or agent

a small family unit … with formal authority lodged in the father

—John Dollard

7

: to lay (something, such as a complaint) before a proper authority : file

the defendant then lodged an appeal

—Priscilla Hughes

intransitive verb

1

a

: to occupy a place temporarily : sleep

lodged on a cot overnight

b(1)

: to have a residence : dwell

lodged over a bookshop

(2)

: to be a lodger

lodged with them for a year

2

: to come to a rest

the bullet lodged in the wall

3

: to fall or lie down

—used especially of hay or grain crops

buckwheat … tends to lodge by late fall

—R. E. Trippensee

lodge

2 of 2

noun

1

chiefly dialectal : a rude shelter or abode

2

a

: a house set apart for residence in a particular season (such as the hunting season)

b

: a resort hotel : inn

mountain lodges

3

a

: a house on an estate originally for the use of a gamekeeper, caretaker, or porter

b

: a shelter for an employee (such as a gatekeeper)

4

: a den or lair especially of gregarious animals (such as beavers)

5

a

: the meeting place of a branch of an organization and especially a fraternal organization

a Masonic lodge

b

: the body of members of such a branch

6

a

: wigwam

b

: a family of North American Indians

The tribe consisted of about 200 lodges.

Synonyms

Verb

• accommodate
• bestow
• billet
• bivouac
• board
• bunk
• camp
• chamber
• domicile
• encamp
• harbor
• house
• put up
• quarter
• roof
• room
• shelter
• take in

Noun

• auberge
• caravansary
• caravanserai
• hospice
• hostel
• hostelry
• hotel
• inn
• public house
• tavern

Examples of lodge in a Sentence

Verb

The workers were lodged in temporary camps.

The refugees needed to be lodged and fed.

We lodged at the resort.

The bullet lodged in his brain.

The bullet lodged itself in his brain.

The group has lodged a grievance.

Noun

He's a member of a Masonic lodge.

an annual dinner at the lodge

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

He’s also had 16 immigration detainers lodged against him in the last three years. —Brie Stimson , Griff Jenkins, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2025

He then was shot on the right side of his chest, the bullet missing his heart but lodging into his left armpit. —Ryanne Mena, Oc Register, 16 May 2025

Noun

Huka Lodge, on New Zealand’s North Island, was the country’s first rustic/luxury lodge, located in a scenic riverfront setting. —Laurie Werner, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025

The Crescent City retreat, about 70 miles north of Orlando, has a lake-side lodge, a clubhouse, more than 500 animals, an archery range, and sporting clays. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 28 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English loge, from Anglo-French, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German louba porch

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(1)

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing lodge

• motor lodge
• sweat lodge

Rhymes for lodge

• auge
• hodge
• podge
• dislodge
• hodgepodge
• fuselage

Kids Definition

lodge

1 of 2 verb

ˈläj 

lodged; lodging

1

a

: to provide or serve as especially temporary quarters for

lodged their guests overnight

b

: to establish or settle oneself in a place

c

: to settle or live in as a residence

d

: to rent lodgings to

2

: to serve as a receptacle for : contain

3

: to bring or come to a rest and remain

the bone lodged in the throat

the bullet lodged in a tree

4

: to lay before a proper authority : file

lodge a complaint

lodge

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: a house set apart for residence in a special season

a hunting lodge

b

: a resort hotel

ski lodge

c

: a house for an employee on an estate

the gamekeeper's lodge

2

: a den or lair of wild animals (as beavers)

3

: the meeting place of a branch (as of a fraternal organization)

also : the members of such a branch

4

a

: wigwam

b

: a family of North American Indigenous people

Biographical Definition

Lodge 1 of 4

biographical name (1)

ˈläj 

Henry Cabot 1850–1924 American statesman and author

Lodge

2 of 4

biographical name (2)

Henry Cabot 1902–1985 grandson of Henry Cabot Lodge American politician and diplomat

Lodge

3 of 4

biographical name (3)

Sir Oliver Joseph 1851–1940 English physicist

Lodge

4 of 4

biographical name (4)

Thomas 1558–1625 English poet and dramatist