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

One of the most significant initiatives came under former President Iván Duque, whose government introduced a temporary protection program in 2021 that gave Venezuelans a path toward legal residency and access to jobs and government services. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026

In 2025, Mestiza became the first female DJ duo to get a residency at the Hï Ibiza club on the Spanish island known as a destination for electronic music lovers. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026

Peterman saw patients for 40 years and did his residency at a center that offered special training in child abuse and neglect. — Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026

Parton had been scheduled to headline a six-show Las Vegas residency at Caesars Palace in late 2025, but postponed it for a year due to unspecified health issues; the run was canceled in May 2026 due to ongoing treatment. — Douglas Wolk, Billboard, 25 Aug. 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