housing

1 of 2

noun (1)

hous·​ing ˈhau̇-ziŋ 

1

a

: shelter, lodging

b

: dwellings provided for people

2

a

: a niche for a sculpture

b

: the space taken out of a structural member (such as a timber) to admit the insertion of part of another

3

: something that covers or protects: such as

a

: a case or enclosure (as for a mechanical part or an instrument)

b

: a casing (such as an enclosed bearing) in which a shaft revolves

c

: a support (such as a frame) for mechanical parts

housing

2 of 2

noun (2)

: caparison sense 1

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• armor
• capsule
• case
• casing
• cocoon
• cover
• covering
• encasement
• hull
• husk
• jacket
• pod
• sheath
• shell

Examples of housing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

If not, they would be suspended indefinitely, barred from completing this semester, not allowed to graduate if seniors, and banned from campus and residential housing. —Christina Fan, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2024

Lawmakers might also amend the legislation to mandate affordable housing. —Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2024

Oakridge Elementary could close and its campus could become affordable housing for the district’s workforce, Hepburn said. —Jimena Tavel, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2024

Cities throughout the county have developed new policies to get more affordable housing built, but housing advocates say more must be done. —Michael Slaten, Orange County Register, 29 Apr. 2024

Most folks know that the state, no less than the nation, needs more housing. —Jonathan Lansner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Apr. 2024

Times data reporter Terry Castleman created two maps that help decipher how California’s housing affordability crisis has transformed the state. —Defne Karabatur, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2024

Public Investigator spoke to housing advocates and legal experts about Baker's situation. —Gina Lee Castro, Journal Sentinel, 18 Apr. 2024

At Wilson College in Pennsylvania, up to 12 single parents annually are awarded grants for on-campus housing and for child care, and their children can eat in the campus dining hall for free. —Jon Marcus, NPR, 18 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

Middle English, from house housing (from Anglo-French huce, houce, of Germanic origin) + -ing; akin to Middle High German hulft covering

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing housing

• housing development
• housing estate
• housing project
• housing starts
• housing stock
• low-income housing
• social housing

Kids Definition

housing

1 of 2 noun

hous·​ing

ˈhau̇-ziŋ

1

a

: the shelter of a temporary or permanent structure (as a tent or house) : lodging

b

: dwellings provided for people

housing for the elderly

2

a

: something that covers or protects

b

: a support (as a frame) for mechanical parts

housing

2 of 2 noun

: caparison sense 1