residence

American  

[rez-i-duhns] / ˈrɛz ɪ dəns /

noun

1. the place, especially the house, in which a person lives or resides; dwelling; home.

   Their residence is in New York City.

   Synonyms:

   domicile, habitation

2. a structure serving as a dwelling or home, especially one of large proportion and superior quality.

   They have a summer residence in Connecticut.

   Synonyms:

   mansion

3. the act or fact of residing.

   during his residence in Spain.

4. the act of living or staying in a specified place while performing official duties, carrying on studies or research, awaiting a divorce, etc..

   She will spend two terms in resident at Oxford University.

5. the time during which a person resides in a place.

   a residence there of five years.

   Synonyms:

   sojourn, abode, stay

6. the location of the main offices or principal center of business activity of a commercial enterprise, especially a large corporation, as registered under law.

7. Chemistry. residence time.

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residence British  

/ ˈrɛzɪdəns /

noun

1. the place in which one resides; abode or home

2. a large imposing house; mansion

3. the fact of residing in a place or a period of residing

4. the official house of the governor of any of various countries

5. the state of being officially present

6. 1. actually resident

      the royal standard indicates that the Queen is in residence

   2. designating a creative artist resident for a set period at a university, college, etc, whose role is to stimulate an active interest in the subject

      composer in residence

7. the seat of some inherent quality, characteristic, etc

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Related Words

See house.

Etymology

Origin of residence

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin residentia, equivalent to Latin resid(ēre) “to dwell, live in, reside” + -entia noun suffix; see origin at reside, -ence

Explanation

The house or apartment where you live is your place of residence. If you're house proud, it means you keep your residence nice and tidy. The act of living in a place is also called residence. You might take up residence in an ancient oak tree when the city threatens to cut it down, for example. The official home of a person in a position of power — like a monarch or a president — is also called a residence. The official residence of the British Prime Minister is 10 Downing Street, and the residence of the President of the United States is 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Example Sentences

Described as a “legacy estate,” the home sits 2,200 feet above sea level on Haleakala’s western slope, which means that the “unique residence enjoys the best of the mild upcountry climate.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026

Later that day, there will be a garden party, with guests from the UK and US meeting the royal visitors at the British ambassador's residence.

From BBC • Apr. 26, 2026

FBI tactical agents were seen entering a gabled two-story residence in Torrance associated with the suspect on Saturday evening, according to an AFP photographer.

From Barron's • Apr. 26, 2026

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Abugharbieh had been living with Limon, who was last seen at their off-campus residence on April 16.

From Salon • Apr. 25, 2026

In spite of these warnings, Galileo became the official guest of the Ambassador at his residence in Rome on 11 December 1615.

From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin

Related Words

• apartment
• condo
• dwelling
• hall
• headquarters
• home
• house
• mansion
• palace