residence

noun res·i·dence \ ˈre-zə-dən(t)s , ˈrez-dən(t)s , ˈre-zə-ˌden(t)s \

Definition of residence

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 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

— in residence

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

poet in residence at a university

See residence defined for English-language learners

See residence defined for kids

Examples of residence in a Sentence

He recently ended his residence at the apartment complex.
They were granted residence in this country.

Recent Examples of residence from the Web

The benefit allows homeowners to deduct up to $1 million in interest payments on a primary (and a secondary) residence.

— Washington Post, "Push to simplify taxes is on but don’t touch some deductions," 31 Aug. 2017
Previous reporting: A man considered armed and dangerous is on the run after a woman was found dead in a Goshen Township residence Wednesday morning, police said.

— jennifer baker & sheila vilvens, Cincinnati.com, "Suspect charged in pregnant woman's death arrested after hours-long manhunt," 30 Aug. 2017
Kensington Palace, once their childhood home, is now their permanent one: Kate, Will, Charlotte, and George’s official residence is Apartment 1A, which once belonged to Princess Margaret, and Prince Harry lives in the palace as well.

— elise taylor, Vogue, "Prince William, Prince Harry, and Kate Middleton Pay an Emotional Tribute to Princess Diana," 30 Aug. 2017
On Sept. 3, 2015, a few days after being given permission to attend the camp, Smith was arrested for allegedly causing a disturbance outside his ex-girlfriend's residence.

— ruth ann krause, Post-Tribune, "Former EC basketball star returned to Lake jail after two years," 29 Aug. 2017
The historic McConnell Hotel in downtown Kellogg caught fire Tuesday afternoon, with embers from the four-story blaze touching off fires across town on six residences and businesses.

— jonathan glover and nina culver the spokesman-review, idahostatesman, "Historic Kellogg hotel, several other buildings engulfed in flames Tuesday," 29 Aug. 2017
After making residence in Central Florida, Evers wrestled extensively on the Florida indies.

— jim varsallone, miamiherald, "Opening the vault with Rachel Evers of WWE Mae Young Classic," 27 Aug. 2017
The Sunnyside cabin is one of multiple dorm-style residences at East Wind.

— max londberg, kansascity, "Dark rituals? Orgies? See the reality of a hippie commune deep in Missouri’s Bible Belt," 27 Aug. 2017
Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry's office has dismissed the home invasion case against an Alabama man accused in September 2015 of intruding upon the French Quarter residence of Criminal District Judge Laurie A. White, court records show.

— ken daley, NOLA.com, "Charge dropped in Orleans Judge Laurie White's home invasion case," 25 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'residence.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of residence

14th century

residence Synonyms

Synonyms

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

RESIDENCE Defined for English Language Learners

residence

noun

Definition of residence for English Language Learners

: the state of living in a particular place
: the place where someone lives
: legal permission to live in a country

RESIDENCE Defined for Kids

residence

noun res·i·dence \ ˈre-zə-dəns \

Definition of residence for Students

1 :the act or fact of living in a place

2 :a building used for a home

3 :the time during which a person lives in a place

Law Dictionary

residence

noun res·i·dence \ ˈre-zə-dəns \

legal Definition of residence

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