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cohousing

American  
[koh-hou-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:

The Burwens, now 78 and 80, coach others building cohousing developments in the Bay area.

From The Wall Street Journal Oct. 18, 2025

“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

There are about 170 established cohousing communities in the United States, according to the Cohousing Association.

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

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