dwelling

American

[dwel-ing] / ˈdwɛl ɪŋ /

noun

a building or place of shelter to live in; place of residence; abode; home.

dwelling British

/ ˈdwɛlɪŋ /

noun

formal a place of residence

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See house.

Other Word Forms

multidwelling noun

Etymology

Origin of dwelling

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English; dwell + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Marc, known to family and friends as “Tiger,” had been working to build an accessory dwelling unit at the family’s Santa Ana home, where he planned to live with Loera-Zarco and their newborn.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Luckily for “The Bachelorette” star, his office at Serhant is just a few miles from his own Jupiter dwelling, which was designed by his girlfriend, Tate Madden.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

Ayewa doesn’t spend her energy dwelling on the shortcomings of the past or present, but instead insists that we all take action and work toward a better future.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

He said he doesn’t allow himself the luxury of dwelling on mistakes while still in the job.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

Have I not described a pleasant site for a dwelling, when I speak of it as bosomed in hill and wood, and rising from the verge of a stream?

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023