reside
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to dwell permanently or for a considerable time.
She resides at 15 Maple Street.
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(of things, qualities, etc.) to abide, lie, or be present habitually; exist or be inherent (usually followed byin ).
-
to rest or be vested, as powers, rights, etc. (usually followed byin ).
verb
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to live permanently or for a considerable time (in a place); have one's home (in)
he now resides in London
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(of things, qualities, etc) to be inherently present (in); be vested (in)
political power resides in military strength
Other Word Forms
- resider noun
Etymology
Origin of reside
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English residen, from Middle French resider, from Latin residēre “to remain seated, rest, settle,” literally, “to sit back,” from re- re- + -sidēre, combining form of sedēre “to sit”; see also sit 1
Explanation
The place where you live — whether house, hotel, or mobile home — is where you reside. The President of the United States resides at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, in a little shack called the White House. You can also use reside to refer to the community where you make your home. You may reside in a particular neighborhood, town, or city. The verb reside can also mean to exist as an inherent quality. For example: "The ability to create laws resides in the legislative branch of the government — in this case, Congress."
Vocabulary lists containing reside
Mahatma Gandhi's "Quit India" Speech
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The Monroe Doctrine (1823)
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"Hip-Hop as Culture" and "I Am Somebody"
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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.
The fact that the overwhelming percentage of unicorns reside in the United States is not an accident.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 21, 2026
On Tuesday, the president’s son Eric posted a first-look video for said library, which will reside on the waterfront in Miami.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026
“Under the longstanding definition, undocumented immigrants are domiciled in this country: They reside here, with ‘an intention to remain,’” the challengers add.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026
Thousands of North Koreans are thought to reside in the city of two million people, despite sanctions banning them from working overseas.
From Barron's • Mar. 29, 2026
The majority are scattered in other parts of the state or the country, but around four thousand reside in Osage County, above the underground reservation.
From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann
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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.