residence

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

Updated on: 25 May 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

Mahathir has not yet moved into the prime minister’s office or residence.

— Washington Post, "Malaysia police raid ex-PM house as part of corruption probe," 16 May 2018
The intruder is seen forcing Jesus Garcia inside the residence at gunpoint.

— steve burns, ajc, "VIDEO: Armed intruder forces man into home during robbery," 16 May 2018
Hinojosa said authorities had received a call of a murder in progress shortly before 8:30 a.m. at the residence.

— mitch mitchell, domingo ramirez jr. and stephen english, star-telegram, "Ex-husband kills 3 children, ex-wife's boyfriend and himself in Ponder, authorities say | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 16 May 2018
Under the new ordinance, after police respond to a fourth complaint at a residence the property owner could be subject to a $500 fine.

— adam ferrise, cleveland.com, "Man shot inside Cleveland church basketball gym after game-losing turnover, argument," 14 May 2018
The Alis stayed at the residence only occasionally, spending most of their time at a home in Phoenix, where the weather was better for Muhammad Ali's failing health.

— david harten, The Courier-Journal, "Muhammad Ali's Louisville mansion is back on the market," 13 May 2018
Vince Lewis said the shooting happened at a residence near 35th Avenue and Beardsley Road just before 8 a.m. Sunday.

— bree burkitt, azcentral, "Phoenix police investigating double shooting," 13 May 2018
The unusual letter was sent to U.S. District Judge Kimba Wood, who is overseeing a legal dispute between federal prosecutors and Cohen’s attorneys over the material seized in a raid last month of Cohen’s office and residences.

— devlin barrett, BostonGlobe.com, "New York lawyer claims Michael Cohen knew of alleged misconduct by state attorney general," 11 May 2018
Still, Trump remains strongly opposed to granting Mueller an interview — resistance fueled largely by the raids last month on the office and residences of his personal attorney Michael Cohen.

— washington post, latimes.com, "Mueller raised possibility of presidential subpoena in meeting with Trump's legal team," 2 May 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