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

recently ended their residence at the apartment complex

Birds have taken up residence in the barn.

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 technical domicile or a place where one is staying temporarily

(2)

: domicile sense 2a

b

: the place where a corporation is actually or officially established

c

: the status of a legal resident

were granted/denied legal residence

3

a

: a building used as a home : dwelling

especially : a large and impressive house of an important or wealthy person

the prime minister's residence

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

see also:

in residence

Synonyms of residence

• abode
• dwelling
• house
• home
• roof
• lodging
• residency
• place
• housing

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

Authorities responded to the residence in Windham on Sunday, after a woman called 911 from a closet inside and reported an apparent break-in, CBS News reported. —Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2026

Charles was in residence barely two miles away and was seen driving out and about, yet there was no visible contact between them. —Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 3 Mar. 2026

What started as a missing persons case quickly escalated when police found bloodstains at the residence. —Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 3 Mar. 2026

In the 1600 block of Big Bend Drive, in February 2025, a 1,451-square-foot single-family residence was sold for $1,567,500, a price per square foot of $1,080. —Bay Area Home Report, Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing residence

• hall of residence
• in 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