residential
Americanadjective
-
of or relating to residence or to residences.
a residential requirement for a doctorate.
-
suited for or characterized by private residences.
a residential neighborhood.
adjective
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suitable for or allocated for residence
a residential area
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relating to or having residence
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of residential
Explanation
In the same way that an “industrial area” is a place of industry where people work, a residential area is made up of houses and apartment buildings — places where people reside. Residential is an adjective that expresses a relationship with homes, apartments, or any place where people live. You might refer to a residential building, a residential neighborhood, or a residential block. Something that is deemed “for residential use” is designed for use at home or rather than for business or commercial use.
Vocabulary lists containing residential
Out of My Mind
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Content Summary G.3: Spatial Reorganization
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Al Capone Does My Shirts
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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.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia attacked a water-supply facility, and dozens of residential buildings were damaged.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 24, 2026
Kyiv has recently expanded its drone capabilities and stepped up strikes on conventional Russian territories as well, including residential areas and oil export infrastructure.
From Barron's • May 23, 2026
The government also says it aims to create 10,000 more foster places to help reduce the need for residential care and provide £53m to invest in new homes.
From BBC • May 20, 2026
Police Chief Jim McDonnell said that many of these residential burglaries are tied to theft rings from South America as well as groups based in South L.A.
From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026
The fire was in the back of a one-story house in a residential neighborhood, in the kitchen.
From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
