brownstone

American  

[broun-stohn] / ˈbraʊnˌstoʊn /

noun

1. a reddish-brown sandstone, used extensively as a building material.

2. Also called brownstone front.  a building, especially a row house, fronted with this stone.

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adjective

1. Archaic. belonging or pertaining to the well-to-do class.

brownstone British  

/ ˈbraʊnˌstəʊn /

noun

1. a reddish-brown iron-rich sandstone used for building

2. a house built of or faced with this stone

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Etymology

Origin of brownstone

First recorded in 1830–40; brown + stone

Example Sentences

Davidson is understood to still have a home base in Brooklyn in the form of a brownstone rental.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 16, 2026

She later had a “vision” of a Manhattan brownstone and was soon living in one thanks to Cornelius Vanderbilt.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 28, 2025

One form filed in 2001 regarding a Brooklyn brownstone bought for her family listed the property as having five units, but all the other pertinent forms stated correctly that it was four units.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 26, 2025

There are few votes for him in Manhattan, brownstone Brooklyn, western Queens, and anywhere with a professional class.

From Slate • Sep. 12, 2024

The brownstone creaked as it settled more firmly into its foundation, wrapping the kids in warmth and love just as it had for so many years past and would, now, for many years to come.

From "The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street" by Karina Yan Glaser