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Definition of dwelling

dwelling

/ˈdwɛl.ɪŋ/
dwell · ing
Plural:dwellings
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dwelling Lexical Profile

dwelling Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A physical structure, such as a building or tent, where a person or group of people lives.

Example

"The archaeologists uncovered the foundations of a prehistoric dwelling near the riverbank."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for dwelling

Word Nuance & Usage

While it shares a meaning with 'house' or 'home', 'dwelling' is typically reserved for formal, legal, or anthropological contexts.

• Rhymes for dwelling

• Nearby Words

dwarf crowned snake
dwarf monitor
dwarf sand boa
dwelling
dye
dynamo
dynjandi

Word Origin & Etymology

From Middle English 'dwelling', a verbal noun formed from the verb 'dwell' (originally meaning 'to lead astray, linger, or remain' from Old English 'dwellan') combined with the suffix '-ing'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Dwelling. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 17, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/dwelling
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