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

Today, below market rate housing programs offer permanent housing to low-income households at the organization’s Cupertino location, while the onsite food market and Park-It Market mobile food pantry provide food to WVCS clients. —Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024

Issues important to him include criminal justice reform and advocating for affordable housing. —Hannah Pinski, The Courier-Journal, 6 Nov. 2024

Carpenter is adamant about candidates who can support those like her mother, who rely on resources like senior housing. —Dana Afana, Detroit Free Press, 6 Nov. 2024

There’s a growing demand for affordable housing, and governments are offering incentives to investors who can help meet this need. —Johan Hajji, Forbes, 5 Nov. 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