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

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 sense 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

Phrases

in residence

: engaged to live and work at a particular place often for a specified time

poet in residence at a university

Synonyms

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

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

Situated on the bank of the Dee river in Scotland’s Cairngorms National Park, the Balmoral estate has been the Scottish residence of the clan since 1852, when it was bought by Prince Albert for his wife, Queen Victoria. —Billy Stockwell, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024

Such inaccuracies can cripple consumers’ ability to get other loans, lease residences or even secure jobs. —Gretchen Morgenson, NBC News, 4 Apr. 2024

Two days later, the subpoena was officially delivered to Trump’s residence. —Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2024

The Royal Collection Trust, which is an official Royal Household department tasked with looking after several royal residences, added that Buckingham Palace will also be open to the public seven days a week in July and August for the first time since 2019. —Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024

The sale of the single family residence in the 100 block of Bayo Vista Ave. —Bay Area Home Report, The Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2024

He was located and arrested at his Mesa residence about a week later. —The Arizona Republic, 3 Apr. 2024

Officials were also present at Combs’ Miami residence. —Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2024

After the war ends, about half the people in Gaza cannot return to their homes because so many residences have been destroyed or severely damaged. —Cate Brown, Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing residence

• in residence
• hall of residence
• residence hall
• take up residence
• residence time

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