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mansion

American  
[man-shuhn] / ˈmæn ʃən /

noun

  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.

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

"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

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."

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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.

Dalemain Mansion in Cumbria, which has hosted the World Marmalade Awards since 2005, said it plans to keep its competition reserved to citrus-based spreads, irrespective of whether the naming rules are relaxed in the UK.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

Michael Bucher is a deputy director of photography covering The Wall Street Journal's feature sections including Life&Work, Mansion, Off Duty, Review and the Future of Everything.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

Enter ABC’s announcement last September that Paul would step into the Bachelor Mansion for season 22 of “The Bachelorette.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

Speaking to Mansion Global, Trowbridge explained the unique ownership.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 18, 2026

The smallest ruin here was bigger than the biggest dorm in Uglyville, bigger even than Garbo Mansion.

From "Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld

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.