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: a shelter (such as a house) in which people live
Synonyms
Examples of dwelling in a Sentence
the simple dwellings in which the Pilgrims spent the first winter at Plymouth
Recent Examples on the Web
This two-story accessory dwelling unit in Silver Lake is fresh, fun, playful and sophisticated.
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Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2025
Douglas Friedman Ten Plus Three boasts a portfolio of high-end residences, including mountain homes, beach retreats, and urban dwellings, yet no matter the location, each space exudes warmth and sophistication.
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Dan Howarth, Architectural Digest, 30 Jan. 2025
Residential burglary: Between 8 p.m. and 9:10 p.m., someone entered the accessory dwelling unit (ADU) of a residence in the 12000 block of Paseo Cerro by breaking a window.
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Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 19 Jan. 2025
Firefighters arrived about 10:45 p.m. Saturday to find four or five dwellings in a 1,000-square-foot area fully engulfed, according to Elgin Fire Department reports.
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Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2025
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Word History
Phrases Containing dwelling
Dictionary Entries Near dwelling
Cite this Entry
“Dwelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dwelling. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.
Kids Definition
dwelling
noun
dwell·ing
ˈdwel-iŋ
: a shelter in which people live : house
Legal Definition
dwelling
noun
dwell·ing
: a structure where a person lives and especially sleeps
called also dwelling house
see also burglaryNote: Courts disagree as to how permanent or consistent the habitation of a structure must be in order for it to be considered a dwelling, but most courts agree that a dwelling includes its curtilage.
More from Merriam-Webster on dwelling
Nglish: Translation of dwelling for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of dwelling for Arabic Speakers
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