brownstone

[broun-stohn]

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.

adjective

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

brownstone

/ ˈbraʊnˌstəʊn /

noun

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

2. a house built of or faced with this stone

Word History and Origins

Origin of brownstone¹

First recorded in 1830–40; brown + stone

Example Sentences

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

She said it had never previously "clicked" that this was the type of stone used in the buildings referred to in the US as brownstones.

From BBC

To restore it, they employed many of the same techniques they use on woodwork in historic brownstones.

From Seattle Times

The crew, who knew each other from the first movie, delighted in taking turns throwing foam bricks off the roof of a dilapidated New York City brownstone in the middle of the night.

From Los Angeles Times

The art in the film also makes a character out of New York City, from Times Square and the Brooklyn Bridge, to the bodegas and brownstone apartments, the city feels alive.

From Salon