tenancy in common

American  

noun

Law.

1. a holding of property, usually real, by two or more persons with each owning an undivided share and with no right of survivorship.

---

Etymology

Origin of tenancy in common

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

“However, community property can be changed to a tenancy in common via divorce proceedings to allow each co-owner the ability to transfer their shares to heirs.”

From MarketWatch • Dec. 6, 2025

“This creates a new tenancy in common arrangement in which the children would be given equal shares to one another, but would still be tenants in common with Owner B.”

From MarketWatch • Dec. 6, 2025

An estate attorney can also help co-buyers understand options for titling the home, such as joint tenancy or tenancy in common.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 7, 2022

A tenancy in common allows you to own the home in unequal shares to reflect the difference in your down payments.

From Slate • Oct. 5, 2022

Participation -- N. participation; cotenancy†, joint tenancy; occupancy in common, possession in common, tenancy in common; joint stock, common stock; co-partnership, partnership; communion; community of possessions, community of goods; communism, socialism; cooperation &c.

From Roget's Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases by Roget, Peter Mark