residence

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

Updated on: 14 Apr 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

Cherokee County Sheriff Jeff Shaver said Troy Spence went missing from a residence on Indian Mountain.

— carol robinson, AL.com, "Search ongoing for Georgia man who vanished into east Alabama woods," 9 Apr. 2018
Artists in residence Howell will repurpose the library through the Alexa Rose Foundation, named for his first wife, an artist who died in 2013.

— dana oland, idahostatesman, "This historic Downtown Boise building will get a new life this summer," 9 Apr. 2018
The 2019 January festival will be led by guest conductor Matthew Aucoin, the artist-in-residence of the Los Angeles Opera.

— george varga, sandiegouniontribune.com, "San Diego Symphony's 2018-2019 season to trumpet many firsts," 8 Apr. 2018
In the Dunbar Avenue theft, a Playstation 4 game system was taken from the residence of a sister of one of Wiley's male friends.

— jim riccioli, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Alleged burglar stole from Waukesha acquaintances to pay for opiate drugs, complaint suggests," 6 Apr. 2018
Jackson checks in on the president at least once a day, and the doctor is usually in the White House residence with him.

— washington post, BostonGlobe.com, "Trump ousts Veterans Affairs chief David Shulkin in administration’s latest shake-up," 29 Mar. 2018
Buy Photo The Commonwealth Court ruled Monday that the public utility status of Sunoco Pipeline LP’s Mariner East project outweighs a Delaware County community’s zoning law that prohibits a pipeline from passing less than 75 feet from a residence.

— andrew maykuth, Philly.com, "Once again, court upholds Sunoco Pipeline's Mariner East project," 27 Mar. 2018
But a senior White House official emphasized that national security advisor H.R. McMaster did not mention the issue during a telephone briefing with the president, who was in the White House residence ahead of and during his conversation with Putin.

— the washington post, latimes.com, "Trump's national security advisors warned him not to congratulate Putin. He did it anyway," 21 Mar. 2018
But a senior White House official emphasized that national security adviser H.R. McMaster did not mention the issue during a telephone briefing with the president, who was in the White House residence ahead of and during his conversation with Putin.

— margaret hartmann, Daily Intelligencer, "8 Reasons Why Trump Ignored His Advisers’ ‘DO NOT CONGRATULATE’ Putin Note," 21 Mar. 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

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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