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house-raising

American  
[hous-rey-zing] / ˈhaʊsˌreɪ zɪŋ /

noun

  1. a gathering of persons in a rural community to help one of its members build a house.


Etymology

Origin of house-raising

An Americanism dating back to 1695–1705

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.

“They framed the whole house, and the garage, in three days. Thirty journeymen framers. Because of her,” said Koerner, his voice breaking as he recalled the house-raising that began in mid-July.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 4, 2025

Burritt’s firm got into house-raising around then—one of many outfits that saw an opportunity in the stimulus that followed Sandy.

From Slate

It was just like an old-fashioned house-raising bee, except that it took place in the age of the assembly line and the publicity man.

From Time Magazine Archive

When we got ready to put up a new building, we would have what we called a house-raising and would invite all the men in the neighborhood to come out and help us.

From Twenty-Five Years in the Black Belt by Edwards, William James

He was reputed to have used it as one many a time at a house-raising.

From Madelon A Novel by Freeman, Mary Eleanor Wilkins

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