Residence - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

SKIP TO CONTENT residence /ˈrɛzɪdɪns/ /ˈrɛzɪdɪns/ IPA guide

Other forms: residences

The house or apartment where you live is your place of residence. If you're house proud, it means you keep your residence nice and tidy.

The act of living in a place is also called residence. You might take up residence in an ancient oak tree when the city threatens to cut it down, for example. The official home of a person in a position of power — like a monarch or a president — is also called a residence. The official residence of the British Prime Minister is 10 Downing Street, and the residence of the President of the United States is 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Definitions of residence
  1. noun any address at which you dwell more than temporarily “a person can have several residencessynonyms: abode see moresee less types: domicile, legal residence (law) the residence where you have your permanent home or principal establishment and to where, whenever you are absent, you intend to return; every person is compelled to have one and only one domicile at a time home, place where you live at a particular time home away from home, home from home a place where you are just as comfortable and content as if you were home type of: address the place where a person or organization can be found or communicated with
  2. noun the official house or establishment of an important person (as a sovereign or president) “he refused to live in the governor's residencesee moresee less examples: Vatican Palace the residence of the Catholic Pope in the Vatican City White House the government building that serves as the residence and office of the President of the United States Mount Vernon the former residence of George Washington in northeastern Virginia overlooking the Potomac river types: show 11 types... hide 11 types... court the residence of a sovereign or member of the nobility deanery the official residence of a dean manse the residence of a clergyman (especially a Presbyterian clergyman) palace official residence of an exalted person (as a sovereign) parsonage, rectory, vicarage an official residence provided by a church for its parson or vicar or rector cloister, religious residence residence that is a place of religious seclusion (such as a monastery) alcazar any of various Spanish fortresses or palaces built by the Moors convent a religious residence especially for nuns glebe house a parsonage (especially one provided for the holder of a benefice) monastery the residence of a religious community priory religious residence in a monastery governed by a prior or a convent governed by a prioress type of: house a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
  3. noun a large and imposing house synonyms: hall, manse, mansion, mansion house see moresee less types: manor, manor house the mansion of a lord or wealthy person castle, palace a large and stately mansion stately home a mansion that is (or formerly was) occupied by an aristocratic family type of: house a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
  4. noun the act of dwelling in a place synonyms: abidance, residency see moresee less types: lodging the act of lodging occupancy, tenancy an act of being a tenant or occupant habitation, inhabitancy, inhabitation the act of dwelling in or living permanently in a place (said of both animals and men) type of: act, deed, human action, human activity something that people do or cause to happen
Pronunciation US /ˈrɛzɪdɪns/ UK /ˈrɛzɪdɪns/ Cite this entry Style: MLA
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Vocabulary lists containing residence

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Shelter is a basic human need, as essential as food and water. As a result, there are many words to describe the place you live, each with its own history and connotation. Get ready for some home schooling!

view more about the vocabulary list From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler E.L. Konigsburg

When Claudia Kincaid and her brother run away from home, they find themselves caught up in a mystery at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Learn these words from E. L. Konigsburg's award-winning novel.

"Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky"

Learn these words from the Nigerian myth (Inside: Level C, Unit 4). Here are our links to the selections of "At Home in the World": Here, There, and Beyond, Sun and Moon, Earth and Space, Indian Summer Sun; Almost Evenly Divided, So You're Going to Mars Here are our links to the units of Level C: Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3, Unit 4, Unit 5, Unit 6, Unit 7, Unit 8 Here are our links to the Inside books: Level A, Level B, Level C Here is our link to a list of academic vocabulary for Inside: Academic Vocabulary

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