residency

noun

res·​i·​den·​cy ˈre-zə-dən(t)-sē 

ˈrez-dən(t)-, 

ˈre-zə-ˌden(t)-

plural residencies

1

a

: a usually official place of residence

b

: a state or period of residence

a 20-year residency in the city

also : residence sense 2c

2

: a territory in a protected state in which the powers of the protecting state are executed by a resident agent

3

a

: a period of advanced training in a medical specialty that normally follows graduation from medical school and licensing to practice medicine

b

: residence sense 4b

c

: a period as an artist in residence

Synonyms of residency

• occupancy
• occupation
• habitation

Examples of residency in a Sentence

You must meet the town's residency requirement in order to vote.

a four-year residency in the country

She recently completed her residency in pediatrics.

Recent Examples on the Web

In the event of flood threats − aside from tropical storms or hurricanes − cities in South Florida may allow residents to park for free in select public garages, although proof of residency is frequently required. —Jennifer Sangalang, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026

Although Simpson has generally stayed out of the spotlight — her last album, Bittersweet World, was released in 2008 — the singer recently performed in Las Vegas as part of a short residency at Voltaire at the Venetian Resort and was revealed as the winner of the 14th season of The Masked Singer. —Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2026

Gloria’s Foundation, which is working to preserve Steinem’s legacy and her home as a historic hub of connection, this year started a residency program. —Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026

For two weekends only, BLINKs can see BLACKPINK‘s LISA perform on stage for her very own Las Vegas residency, VIVA LA LISA. —Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 24 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for residency

• presidency

Kids Definition

residency

noun

res·​i·​den·​cy ˈrez-əd-ən-sē 

-ə-ˌden(t)-

plural residencies

1

a

: a usually official place of residence

b

: a state or period of residence

a four-year residency in the country

c

: residence sense 2b

applied for residency

2

a

: a period of advanced training especially in a medical specialty that typically follows graduation from medical school

b

: residence sense 3b

Medical Definition

residency

noun

res·​i·​den·​cy ˈrez-əd-ən-sē 

plural residencies

: a period of advanced medical training and education that normally follows graduation from medical school and licensing to practice medicine and that consists of supervised practice of a specialty in a hospital and in its outpatient department and instruction from specialists on the hospital staff

Legal Definition

residency

noun

res·​i·​den·​cy ˈre-zə-dən-sē 

plural residencies

1

: an often official place of residence

2

: the condition of being a resident of a particular place