residency

noun

res·​i·​den·​cy ˈre-zə-dən(t)-sē How to pronounce residency (audio)
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
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
c
: a period as an artist in residence

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Jackson’s performance will take place during the next leg of her Vegas residency Janet Jackson: Las Vegas, which launched in December 2024, with six shows taking place at the Resorts World Theatre at Resorts World Las Vegas from May 21-31. Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2025 All money raised through the tours goes into preserving the otherworldly buildings and onsite artisan studios, residencies and events. San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 May 2025 More big stories Trump’s pick for surgeon general quit her medical residency due to stress, her former department chair says. Karim Doumar, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2025 For her fifth tour and first since her Las Vegas residency, Katy Perry is embracing technology. Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for residency

Word History

First Known Use

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of residency was in 1579

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Residency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/residency. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

residency

noun
res·​i·​den·​cy ˈrez-əd-ən-sē How to pronounce residency (audio)
-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

Medical Definition

residency

noun
res·​i·​den·​cy ˈrez-əd-ən-sē How to pronounce residency (audio)
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 How to pronounce residency (audio)
plural residencies
1
: an often official place of residence
2
: the condition of being a resident of a particular place

More from Merriam-Webster on residency

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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