brownstone

American  

[broun-stohn] / ˈbraʊnˌstoʊn /

noun

1. a reddish-brown sandstone, used extensively as a building material.

2. Also called brownstone front.  a building, especially a row house, fronted with this stone.

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adjective

1. Archaic. belonging or pertaining to the well-to-do class.

brownstone British  

/ ˈbraʊnˌstəʊn /

noun

1. a reddish-brown iron-rich sandstone used for building

2. a house built of or faced with this stone

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Etymology

Origin of brownstone

First recorded in 1830–40; brown + stone

Example Sentences

The result was a far cry from the dilapidated state the Carroll Gardens brownstone had been in when Harbour and Allen purchased it.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 12, 2026

She later had a “vision” of a Manhattan brownstone and was soon living in one thanks to Cornelius Vanderbilt.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 28, 2025

There are few votes for him in Manhattan, brownstone Brooklyn, western Queens, and anywhere with a professional class.

From Slate • Sep. 12, 2024

The art in the film also makes a character out of New York City, from Times Square and the Brooklyn Bridge, to the bodegas and brownstone apartments, the city feels alive.

From Salon • Dec. 23, 2023

Up close, the buildings were more intimidating than they were from the brownstone roof.

From "The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street" by Karina Yan Glaser