resident

1 of 2

adjective

res·​i·​dent ˈre-zə-dənt 

ˈrez-dənt, 

ˈre-zə-ˌdent

1

a

: living in a place for some length of time : residing

b

: serving in a regular or full-time capacity

the resident engineer for a highway department

also : being in residence

—often used humorously to refer to a person in a group with a certain skill, area of knowledge, etc.

He's our resident trivia expert.

2

: present, inherent

energy resident in matter

3

: not migratory

resident species

resident

2 of 2

noun

1

: one who resides in a place

2

: a diplomatic agent residing at a foreign court or seat of government

especially : one exercising authority in a protected state as representative of the protecting power

3

: a physician serving a residency

Synonyms of resident

Noun

• inhabitant
• occupant
• resider

Examples of resident in a Sentence

Adjective

Several tribes are resident in this part of the country.

Noun

a resident of Atlanta

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Dr Yanny is involved in medical student and resident education and is a member of the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. —Dr. Megan Yanny, Boston Herald, 31 May 2026

Developers are recognizing that social connection is a design decision that enhances resident satisfaction, community health and their own bottom lines. —Jamie Gold, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026

Noun

At least 65 people were wounded across the city, Ukrainian officials said, in strikes that caused power outages and sent residents scrambling to shelters as air raid sirens sounded. —Helen Regan, CNN Money, 2 June 2026

California continues to see large swaths of people moving out of the state, with Los Angeles County losing more than 54,000 residents between 2024 and 2025 alone. —Lindsay Kornick, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin resident-, residens, present participle of residēre

First Known Use

Adjective

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

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing resident

• co-resident
• minister resident
• resident commissioner

Rhymes for resident

• nonresident

Kids Definition

resident

1 of 2 adjective

res·​i·​dent ˈrez-əd-ənt 

-ə-ˌdent

1

: living in a place for some length of time

2

: working on a regular or full-time basis

a resident physician

3

: not migrating to other areas

resident birds

resident

2 of 2 noun

1

: one who resides in a place

2

: a person (as a physician) serving a residency

Medical Definition

resident

noun

res·​i·​dent ˈrez-əd-ənt, ˈrez-dənt 

: a physician serving a residency

Legal Definition

resident

noun

res·​i·​dent

ˈre-zə-dənt

: one who has a residence in a particular place but does not necessarily have the status of a citizen compare citizen sense 1, domiciliary

resident adjective