residence

noun

res·​i·​dence ˈre-zə-dən(t)s How to pronounce residence (audio)
ˈrez-dən(t)s,
ˈre-zə-ˌden(t)s
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
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
Phrases
in residence
: engaged to live and work at a particular place often for a specified time
poet in residence at a university

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Now, with the Christmas season upon us, several royal residences are also open to varying degrees, including the grounds of the Sandringham Estate, where the royal family traditionally spends Christmas. Rachel Burchfield, People.com, 29 Nov. 2024 There are roughly 60 residences that are considered Usonian scattered across the United States. Rachel Davies, Architectural Digest, 29 Nov. 2024 His phone was traced by police, who discovered that Davis' phone had pinged to a cell tower near the victim's residence on Dec. 24. Adrienne Davis, Journal Sentinel, 28 Nov. 2024 Embracing indoor-outdoor living with a design that celebrates the landscape and incorporates sustainable materials, the accommodations range from tranquil beach and pool villas to expansive one-, two-, and three-bedroom residences that accommodate families or groups of friends. Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 27 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for residence 

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of residence was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near residence

Cite this Entry

“Residence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/residence. Accessed 6 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

residence

noun
res·​i·​dence ˈrez-əd-ən(t)s How to pronounce residence (audio)
-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 How to pronounce residence (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on residence

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