mansion
Americannoun
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a very large, impressive, or stately residence.
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British. Often mansions. a large building with many apartments; apartment house.
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Oriental and Medieval Astronomy. each of 28 divisions of the ecliptic occupied by the moon on successive days.
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Archaic. an abode or dwelling place.
noun
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Also called: mansion house. a large and imposing house
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a less common word for manor house
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archaic any residence
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(plural) a block of flats
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astrology any of 28 divisions of the zodiac each occupied on successive days by the moon
Etymology
Origin of mansion
1325–75; Middle English < Latin mānsiōn- (stem of mānsiō ) an abiding, abode. See manse, -ion
Explanation
A mansion is a huge, fancy house. Some mansions are eventually turned into museums where you can get a look at an old wealthy family's art and furniture collections. It takes a lot of money and a staff of workers to live in and take care of a mansion. Historically, post-fifteenth century European noblemen lived in mansions that became the typical style of home for aristocrats who no longer required the safety of fortified castles. The word mansion comes from the Latin root mansionem, "a staying or a remaining," from the stem manere, "to stay."
Vocabulary lists containing mansion
American Street
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Dame Maggie Smith (1934–2024) Tribute List
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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.
Inside Hôtel Le Marois, a mansion just off the Champs-Élsyées, the focus was on florals and nature-inspired hues.
From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026
Despite his markers of making it — the oppressively over-decorated mansion, the heavy jewelry — Joe ends the film still looking dated and cheap.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026
They bet big on the ascendant Florida Republican Party, backing Rick Scott all the way to the governor’s mansion.
From Slate • Apr. 20, 2026
The recent attack on Sam Altman’s San Francisco mansion is the starkest example of this.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026
When I finally made it to Twig’s mansion, she was already sitting at the kitchen table.
From "The Science of Breakable Things" by Tae Keller
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
