residence

noun

res·​i·​dence ˈre-zə-dən(t)s How to pronounce residence (audio)
ˈrez-dən(t)s,
ˈre-zə-ˌden(t)s
Synonyms of residencenext
1
a
: the act or fact of dwelling in a place for some time
b
: the act or fact of living or regularly staying at or in some place for the discharge of a duty or the enjoyment of a benefit
2
a(1)
: the place where one actually lives as distinguished from one's domicile or a place of temporary sojourn
(2)
: domicile sense 2a
b
: the place where a corporation is actually or officially established
c
: the status of a legal resident
3
a
: a building used as a home : dwelling
b
: housing or a unit of housing provided for students
4
a
: the period or duration of abode in a place
b
: a period of active and especially full-time study, research, or teaching at a college or university
Phrases
in residence
: engaged to live and work at a particular place often for a specified time
poet in residence at a university

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of residence in a Sentence

He recently ended his residence at the apartment complex. They were granted residence in this country.
Recent Examples on the Web As hungry bears awaken from hibernation, a California mountain village braces for invasion March 18, 2024 The bear, which was not in the home when authorities arrived, was trapped near the residence after Miller’s death. —Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2024 The sale of the single family residence in the 17100 block of Buena Vista Ave. —Bay Area Home Report, The Mercury News, 6 June 2024 Twelve additional people the patient came into contact with -- seven with symptoms and five without -- were identified near the patient's residence. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 5 June 2024 Homicide detectives learned that there was an altercation inside the residence between the victims and an unidentified suspect or suspects when gunshots were fired. —Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for residence 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'residence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of residence was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing residence

Dictionary Entries Near residence

reside

residence

residence hall

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Residence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/residence. Accessed 9 Jun. 2024.

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Kids Definition

residence

noun
res·​i·​dence ˈrez-əd-ən(t)s How to pronounce residence (audio)
-ə-ˌden(t)s
1
: the act or state of living or working continuously in a place
physicians in residence in a hospital
residence abroad
2
a
: the place where one lives
b
: the status of a legal resident
3
a
: the period during which a person resides in a place
b
: a period of actual study, research, or teaching at a college or university

Legal Definition

residence

noun
res·​i·​dence ˈre-zə-dəns How to pronounce residence (audio)
1
: the act or fact of living in a place
2
a
: the place where one actually lives as distinguished from a domicile or place of temporary sojourn
a person can have more than one residence but only one domicile

Note: A distinction is usually maintained between domicile and residence based on the relative permanency of a domicile and the intent to make it a principal place of abode. In some contexts, however, such as for determining proper venue domicile and residence are used as synonyms. Similarly residence and domicile are sometimes used as synonyms with regard to the place of incorporation of a business.

b
: a place in which a corporation does business or is licensed to do business
3
: the status of a resident
4
: dwelling

More from Merriam-Webster on residence

Nglish: Translation of residence for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of residence for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about residence

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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