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

In September, during Hurricane Helene, the French Broad River surged into commercial corridors in Asheville, North Carolina, wiping out restaurants, breweries, stores, and dwellings. —Nikil Saval, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025

The bivouac is just a temporary perch where hundreds of bees will swarm to and cluster as scout bees look for a new permanent dwelling. —Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 7 Apr. 2025

Unlike homeowners insurance, which typically has a flat, dollar-amount deductible, the deductible for earthquake insurance is typically 10% to 25% of your homeowners or renters policy’s dwelling coverage. —Liz Knueven, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2025

Zoning restrictions may need to change to permit larger buildings, for example; rules dating from 1961 ban dwellings larger than one- and two-family homes in some neighborhoods. —Maurice Obeid, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 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.