residence

[rez-i-duhns]

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.

residence

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of residence¹

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; reside, -ence

Synonym Study

See house.

Example Sentences

The Queen was in residence that day, with her published schedule including her regular weekly audience with the prime minister.

Read more on BBC

Tchiroma, stowed away in his residence since Monday, said Friday that part of the army was protecting him and called for public support through a "ghost towns" strategy from Monday to Wednesday.

Read more on Barron's

Since 2023, Finland has introduced stricter requirements for obtaining asylum, residence permits, family reunification and citizenship, though it welcomes work-based immigration.

Read more on Barron's

Under the terms of the new budget bill, that access is more limited and primarily reserved for green-card holders after five years of permanent residence.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

King Charles III strips Andrew of all his titles and his Windsor mansion residence.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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