residence

noun

res·​i·​dence ˈre-zə-dən(t)s 

ˈrez-dən(t)s,

ˈre-zə-ˌden(t)s

1

a

: the act or fact of dwelling in a place for some time

b

: the act or fact of living or regularly staying at or in some place for the discharge of a duty or the enjoyment of a benefit

2

a(1)

: the place where one actually lives as distinguished from one's domicile or a place of temporary sojourn

(2)

: domicile sense 2a

b

: the place where a corporation is actually or officially established

c

: the status of a legal resident

3

a

: a building used as a home : dwelling

b

: housing or a unit of housing provided for students

4

a

: the period or duration of abode in a place

b

: a period of active and especially full-time study, research, or teaching at a college or university

Phrases

in residence

: engaged to live and work at a particular place often for a specified time

poet in residence at a university

Synonyms

• abode
• diggings
• domicile
• dwelling
• fireside
• habitation
• hearth
• hearthstone
• home
• house
• lodging
• pad
• place
• quarters
• roof

Examples of residence in a Sentence

He recently ended his residence at the apartment complex.

They were granted residence in this country.

Recent Examples on the Web

According to police documents, surveillance footage showed a man approach the piano room on the south side of the governor's residence, smash a window and throw a Molotov cocktail inside. —Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025

What To Know Photos shared online after the arson attack revealed how parts of the residence had been destroyed by the flames and thick smoke. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025

Residency And Citizenship Opportunities The Cayman Islands offers residence through investment in real estate. —Kathleen Peddicord, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025

Shapiro and his family had been sleeping in a different part of the residence, police said. —Time, 14 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing residence

• hall of residence
• residence hall
• residence time
• take up residence

Kids Definition

residence

noun

res·​i·​dence ˈrez-əd-ən(t)s 

-ə-ˌden(t)s

1

: the act or state of living or working continuously in a place

physicians in residence in a hospital

residence abroad

2

a

: the place where one lives

b

: the status of a legal resident

3

a

: the period during which a person resides in a place

b

: a period of actual study, research, or teaching at a college or university

Legal Definition

residence

noun

res·​i·​dence ˈre-zə-dəns 

1

: the act or fact of living in a place

2

a

: the place where one actually lives as distinguished from a domicile or place of temporary sojourn

a person can have more than one residence but only one domicile

Note: A distinction is usually maintained between domicile and residence based on the relative permanency of a domicile and the intent to make it a principal place of abode. In some contexts, however, such as for determining proper venue domicile and residence are used as synonyms. Similarly residence and domicile are sometimes used as synonyms with regard to the place of incorporation of a business.

b

: a place in which a corporation does business or is licensed to do business

3

: the status of a resident

4

: dwelling