mansion

American  

[man-shuhn] / ˈmæn ʃən /

noun

• mansions
  plural

1. a very large, impressive, or stately residence.

2. manor house.

3. British. Often mansions. a large building with many apartments; apartment house.

4. Oriental and Medieval Astronomy. each of 28 divisions of the ecliptic occupied by the moon on successive days.

5. Archaic. an abode or dwelling place.

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mansion British  

/ ˈmænʃən /

noun

1. Also called: mansion house. a large and imposing house

2. a less common word for manor house

3. archaic any residence

4. (plural) a block of flats

5. astrology any of 28 divisions of the zodiac each occupied on successive days by the moon

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• mansions
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of mansion

1325–75; Middle English < Latin mānsiōn- (stem of mānsiō ) an abiding, abode. See manse, -ion

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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."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

mansion mansions

The White House was briefly placed on lockdown on Monday after a man crashed his car into the sidewalk of a park across from the presidential mansion.

From Barron's ● Nov. 9, 2026

The Metro leads with "Brand's £5m house switch", reporting that he "is transferring his £5million mansion to his wife", citing documents that apply to the "luxury six-bed thatched cottage".

From BBC ● Nov. 9, 2026

Ghosts have been wafting around the city’s theaters in unusual numbers, turning them into a sprawling version of Disney’s haunted mansion.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026

The Mediterranean-style mansion includes six-bedrooms, six-bathrooms, spans more than 8,000 square feet, and is currently valued at nearly $4.9 million, according to Realtor.com estimates.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 4, 2026

“How shall I behave here?” she asked, as they approached the third mansion.

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott

Equally at home in shadowy dives and modern mansions, she proves an adept investigator, with Sherlockian observational skills.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026

Airbnb bookings can range from private bedrooms in a shared home to luxury mansions and yachts.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 21, 2026

She refuses to be drawn when asked if her family occupy mansions in The Gambia, and how they were paid for.

From BBC ● May 17, 2026

Immigrants lived near the mission, and esteemed Spanish Mexican families lived in large mansions around the churches that dot Old Town in the mid-19th century — many came post-Spanish-Mexican wars.

From Salon ● May 9, 2026

In easternmost Siasconset, the gray-shingled fishermen’s cottages that occupied the corners of plots of sea grass and wildflowers are giving way to mansions in private cul-de-sacs.

From "Class Matters" by The New York Times

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Related Words

• building
• dwelling
• estate
• hall
• home
• manor
• palace
• residence

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