dwelling

noun

dwell·​ing ˈdwe-liŋ How to pronounce dwelling (audio)
Synonyms of dwelling
: a shelter (such as a house) in which people live

Synonyms of dwelling

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Examples of dwelling in a Sentence

the simple dwellings in which the Pilgrims spent the first winter at Plymouth
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.
Boulder’s ordinary short-term rental rules require a dwelling to be the owner’s principal residence, meaning an owner must occupy the dwelling for more than half the year. — Tim Komarek, The Conversation, 5 Aug. 2026 Usher’s taste for dark walls continued in this dwelling, where the double-height entryway featured numerous contemporary artworks highlighted against jet-black walls and a grand staircase with wrought-iron railing. — Joyce Chen, Architectural Digest, 4 Aug. 2026 Like him, many other residents of the sizable tent community off Fish Hatchery Road have no plans to abandon their dwellings for a first-come, first-serve downtown shelter bed that may not be available the next night. — Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 4 Aug. 2026 Elijah Bieniemy, who is 27 and is a graduate of Olathe Northwest High School, has been charged with malicious wounding, use of a firearm during the commission of a felony and discharge of a firearm inside of a dwelling. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for dwelling

Word History

Etymology

see dwell

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

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

Phrases Containing dwelling

Rhymes for dwelling

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Browse Nearby Words

dweller
dwelling
dwelling house
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Cite this Entry

“Dwelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dwelling. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

dwelling

noun
dwell·​ing
ˈdwel-iŋ
: a shelter in which people live : house

Legal Definition

dwelling

noun
dwell·​ing
: a structure where a person lives and especially sleeps

called also dwelling house

see also burglary

Note: Courts disagree as to how permanent or consistent the habitation of a structure must be in order for it to be considered a dwelling, but most courts agree that a dwelling includes its curtilage.

More from Merriam-Webster on dwelling

Nglish: Translation of dwelling for Spanish Speakers

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