residence

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

|Updated on: 17 Aug 2018

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

After arriving in Ireland Tuesday, the couple attended a garden party at the British ambassador's residence, where Meghan wore a sleeveless black dress from Emilia Wickstead with a square neckline and belt.

— hannah yasharoff, USA TODAY, "All the details on Duchess Meghan's week of flawless fashion," 12 July 2018
For a Charleston residence unlike any other, look no further than the sprawling penthouse apartment at 18 Broad Street.

— meghan overdeep, Southern Living, "The Incredible Two-Story Penthouse Atop Charleston’s People’s Building Can Be Yours for $16,500,000," 11 July 2018
The plans call for possibly adding hundreds of residences, as well as unifying the Pier 66 property with The Sails Marina, its Southeast 17th Street neighbor.

— meryl kornfield, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Pier 66 plans hotel renovation as first step toward new development," 11 July 2018
The area around the residence, including at least 30 people, was evacuated.

— ava wallace, chicagotribune.com, "Reports: Former UCLA, NBA player Tyler Honeycutt found dead after shootout with police," 7 July 2018
Protesters staked out his office and residence, and Dr. Palmer, a longtime hunting enthusiast, later apologized for killing Cecil.

— christine hauser, New York Times, "Killing of African Giraffe Sets Off Anger at ‘White American Savage’ Who Shot It," 3 July 2018
The Moderne Rice Village, which has one residence on each floor and six spectacular homes, resides in the heart of Rice Village.

— valerie sweeten, Houston Chronicle, "On the Market/Condo Life: Museum District, Med Center area popular for luxury condos," 1 July 2018
The residence, located on the 300 block of East 44th Street, was found to be dirty and filled with hazards, including dog feces, police said.

— michael katz, idahostatesman, "Garden City parents arrested after police find children living in filth, dog feces," 28 June 2018
Both this case and another involving an American diplomat whose case was confirmed on June 21 stem from a single occurrence in late May at a diplomatic residence, State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said Thursday.

— mimi whitefield, miamiherald, "Mystery deepens in Havana as U.S. confirms a 26th diplomat in Cuba suffered health symptoms," 28 June 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

residence Synonyms

Synonyms

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

bungalow, cabin, casita, chalet, cottage;

duplex, ranch, ranch house, saltbox, split level, townhome, town house, tract house, triplex;

apartment, apartment house, condominium, flat, tenement, tenement house, walk-up;

penthouse, salon, suite;

barracks, billet, boardinghouse, dorm, dormitory, lodging house, lodgment (or lodgement), room(s), rooming house;

castle, château, countryseat, estate, hall, manor, manor house, mansion, palace, villa;

farmhouse, grange, hacienda, homestead;

hermitage, manse, parsonage, rectory, vicarage;

hovel, hut, hutch, shack, shanty;

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