residential

adjective

res·​i·​den·​tial ˌre-zə-ˈden(t)-shəl 

ˌrez-ˈden(t)-

1

a

: used as a residence or by residents

b

: providing living accommodations for students

a residential prep school

2

: restricted to or occupied by residences

a residential neighborhood

3

: of or relating to residence or residences

4

: provided to patients residing in a facility

residential drug treatment

also : being a facility providing such treatment

a residential treatment center

residentially

ˌre-zə-ˈden(t)-sh(ə-)lē 

ˌrez-ˈden(t)-

adverb

Examples of residential in a Sentence

The company offers insurance for commercial and residential customers.

Recent Examples on the Web

So far, all the Israelis killed have been civilians, and numerous residential apartment buildings have collapsed or have been declared uninhabitable. —Steven Katz, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2025

Israeli security forces and first responders gather at the site of an Iranian strike that hit a residential neighbourhood in the Ramat Aviv area in Tel Aviv on June 22, 2025. —Sam Meredith, CNBC, 22 June 2025

Spending at building material and garden supply stores also saw big drops, suggesting less residential investment in home improvements. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 21 June 2025

The developers are looking ahead to future development that could replace some of the former department store’s vast parking lots, alongside a planned second phase of residential development that could start construction next year. —Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 21 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1654, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing residential

• co-residential
• residential college

Rhymes for residential

• consequential
• deferential
• evidential
• existential
• exponential
• influential
• nonessential
• penitential
• precedential
• preferential
• presidential
• providential

Kids Definition

residential

adjective

res·​i·​den·​tial ˌrez(-ə)-ˈden-chəl 

1

: used as a residence or by residents

a residential hotel

2

: suitable for or containing residences

a residential neighborhood

3

: of or relating to residence or residences

4

: provided to patients staying in a facility

residential treatment

residentially

-ˈdench-(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

residential

adjective

res·​i·​den·​tial ˌrez(-ə)-ˈden-chəl 

: provided to patients residing in a facility

residential drug treatment