domicile

American  

[dom-uh-sahyl, -suhl, doh-muh-] / ˈdɒm əˌsaɪl, -səl, ˈdoʊ mə- /

Or domicil

noun

1. a place of residence; house or home; abode.

2. Law. a permanent legal residence.

---

verb (used with object)

domiciled, domiciling

1. to establish in a domicile.

domicile British  

/ ˈdɒmɪˌsaɪl, ˈdɒmɪˌsɪl /

noun

1. a dwelling place

2. a permanent legal residence

3. commerce the place where a bill of exchange is to be paid

---

verb

1. to establish or be established in a dwelling place

Other Word Forms

• undomiciled adjective

Etymology

Origin of domicile

First recorded in 1470–80; from Middle French, from Latin domicilium, equivalent to domicol(a) ( domi-, combining form of domus “house” + -cola “dweller”; colonus ) + -ium -ium

Example Sentences

Because if we think about domicile as “presence with intent to remain,” well, enslaved people didn’t intend to remain anywhere!

From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026

However, it also specified that, in order to safeguard the "image and reputation" of both the former king and the monarchy, "Juan Carlos should have his tax domicile in Spain".

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2026

It found Peters’s physical presence and familial abode “more strongly” indicated his domicile was in California and that his physical presence and property “heavily support California residency.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 25, 2026

Instead, it’ll be “somewhere on the East Coast,” while Delaware will be the legal domicile.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 10, 2025

With an indignant squawk, Rose led the way into their new domicile, tempted by a trail of grain.

From "Hattie Big Sky" by Kirby Larson