Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for cohousing. Search instead for chowsing.

cohousing

American  
[koh-hau-zing] / koʊˈhaʊ zɪŋ /

noun

  1. a cooperative living arrangement in which people build a cluster of single-family houses around a common building for shared meals, child care, guest rooms, etc.

  2. the cluster of houses with the common building.


Etymology

Origin of cohousing

First recorded in 1985–90


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.

See Examples For:

“What we did can and is being done around the country,” says David, adding that there are about 150 cohousing communities in North America, many focused on those in the last third of their lives.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 18, 2025

In California, the Burwens created a cohousing community on an acre of land.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 18, 2025

The association always advises people planning such communities to partner with experienced cohousing developers to minimize their risks, she said.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 27, 2022

The single mother-of-two is now part of a group who want to set up a cohousing project to create a more tribal way of living.

From BBC ● Jun. 1, 2021

Advertising itself as an “urban, intentional community,” the cohousing community I visited features a modern, stylish building designed primarily for seniors and, according to its website, is home to 36 “lively and creative” individuals.

From Washington Post ● Feb. 7, 2020

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training