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

His campaign emphasizes public safety, community ties and his long‑term residency in the district, framing him as a stability‑focused candidate with strong local connections. —Doug Myers, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026

Last summer, the Hoppers star was famously spotted dancing the night away in a Hawaiian shirt and bucket hat at one of Bad Bunny’s historic 30-show residency run at San Juan, Puerto Rico’s Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 27 Feb. 2026

The 2000s pop-star is coming off a Las Vegas residency, and will kick off a tour of her new album this summer – her first world outing in nearly 20 years – before heading on an international leg that stretches into 2027. —Rachel Hale, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026

This spring, The Cleveland Orchestra resumes its 2026 Miami residency in partnership with the Arsht with Stravinsky’s masterwork on March 27 and 28, joined by members of the New World Symphony and conducted by Rafael Payare. —Luis Palomares, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 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