residence

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

Definition of residence

1a : the act or fact of dwelling in a place for some timeb : 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
2a (1) : the place where one actually lives as distinguished from one's domicile or a place of temporary sojourn (2) : domicile 2ab : the place where a corporation is actually or officially establishedc : the status of a legal resident
3a : a building used as a home : dwellingb : housing or a unit of housing provided for students
4a : the period or duration of abode in a placeb : 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

In all three cases, the Capitol Police also recommended specific security upgrades to the lawmakers’ residences.

— kevin freking, The Seattle Times, "Panel says lawmakers may use campaign funds on home security," 13 July 2017
The inaugural event, which takes place on July 13, will be held in Nichols’s own Westdale residence.

— juliet bennett rylah, Los Angeles Magazine, "These Lavish Pop-Up Dinner Parties Are Hosted in Historic L.A. Homes," 10 July 2017
UMKC will expand housing in all four residence facilities that cover both Volker and Hospital Hill campuses, including Johnson Hall, while KU will open an entire wing of Lewis Hall to gender-inclusive housing in the fall.

— lily oppenheimer, kansascity.com, "As gender-inclusive housing expands at UMKC, KU, other universities remain in limbo," 4 July 2017
Please include your name and town of residence for publication.

— Naperville Sun, "Letters to the editor: Roundup, Naper Settlement, Carillon, dog rescue," 29 June 2017
On May 26, the West Alabama Narcotics Task Force carried out a search warrant at Piccolo's residence in the 1400 block of Sixth Street Tuscaloosa in Tuscaloosa.

— carol robinson, AL.com, "U.S. Marshals capture Tuscaloosa drug suspect in North Carolina," 27 June 2017
Earlier this year, a student at living in a Dominican University residence hall in River Forest discovered a swastika had been written into the carpet just outside of her room.

— steve schering, chicagotribune.com, "Swastika graffiti removed from OPRF High School," 26 June 2017
The housing authority initially used the site as residences for public housing residents who had been displaced by the demolition of the large Clarksdale development.

— sheldon s. shafer, The Courier-Journal, "'Affordable' housing is coming to East Liberty," 26 June 2017
Two victims told police they were robbed by two men, and the victims fled the residence and called 911, Williams said.

— becky jacobs, Post-Tribune, "Police investigate after SWAT responds to Lake Station house," 26 June 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 Defined for English Language Learners

residence

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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

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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

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noun res·i·dence \ˈre-zə-dəns\

Legal Definition of residence

1 : the act or fact of living in a place
2a : 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 Editor's 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