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real estate

American  
[ree-uhl, reel] / ˈri əl, ril /

noun

  1. property, especially in land.

    three acres of real estate.

  2. real property.

  3. available space or capacity.

    A bigger screen will give you extra real estate.
real estate British  

noun

  1. another term for real property

"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

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of real estate

First recorded in 1640–45

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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.

Real estate is also illiquid, requires upkeep, so you need a balanced, diversified retirement plan.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 16, 2026

Real estate brokerage firm Compass said that recent transactions showed that some parts of the tech capital have emerged from its doom loop on the back of the surge in AI investment and hiring.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

Real estate investment trusts are suddenly a haven in a market dominated by fears about Iran, rising oil prices, and the unwinding of the artificial-intelligence trade.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

Real estate once accounted for as much as a quarter of China's economic activity when related industries are included.

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026

Real estate term that refers to the position of a piece of real estate as it relates to the value of that real estate.

From "The Lemonade War" by Jacqueline Davies

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.