dwelling

noun

dwell·​ing ˈdwe-liŋ 

: a shelter (such as a house) in which people live

Synonyms

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

Examples of dwelling in a Sentence

the simple dwellings in which the Pilgrims spent the first winter at Plymouth

Recent Examples on the Web

Retail Value: Historical Performance And Current Trends The retail value of an investment property is the price a household pays when buying a dwelling. —Thibault Adrien, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025

The original intent was to allow only one ADU, which is short for accessory dwelling unit. —U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 June 2025

The Open Trail looks like a compelling competitor that carries a roomy, comfortable dwelling atop a rugged Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 AWD dually cutaway chassis. —New Atlas, 9 June 2025

Trustees approved a rezoning of the site from single-unit dwelling to general residence. —Linda Girardi, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

see dwell

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing dwelling

• dwelling place
• lake dwelling
• two-family house/dwelling

Rhymes for dwelling

• belling
• celling
• fehling
• felling
• gelling
• pelling
• quelling
• selling
• shelling
• smelling
• spelling
• swelling

Kids Definition

dwelling

noun

dwell·​ing

ˈdwel-iŋ

: a shelter in which people live : house

Legal Definition

dwelling

noun

dwell·​ing

: a structure where a person lives and especially sleeps

called also dwelling house

see also burglary

Note: Courts disagree as to how permanent or consistent the habitation of a structure must be in order for it to be considered a dwelling, but most courts agree that a dwelling includes its curtilage.