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

Noun (1)

a camera with a waterproof housing for taking pictures of coral reefs and other underwater features

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Building this way addresses a number of challenges from sustainability, workforce and housing shortages, and construction productivity. —Phil Kirschner, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024

In the Inland Empire, values should climb 2.7% Though prices may keep rising, if incomes climb as well and mortgage rates fall, the housing market could become more affordable to people looking to break in. —Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024

Lennar , one of the nation’s largest home builders, reports Wednesday night, providing a real-time update on the state of the housing market. —Zev Fima, CNBC, 15 Dec. 2024

Additionally, the Home Builder Confidence Index for December will be unveiled, shedding light on the outlook for the housing market. —Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 15 Dec. 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