household

1 of 2

noun

house·​hold ˈhau̇s-ˌhōld How to pronounce household (audio)
ˈhau̇-ˌsōld
Synonyms of householdnext
: those who dwell under the same roof and compose a family
also : a social unit composed of those living together in the same dwelling

household

2 of 2

adjective

1
: of or relating to a household : domestic
cooking and other household arts
2
: familiar, common
a household name

Synonyms of household

Examples of household in a Sentence

Noun At that time, not many households had telephones. the dish became a household word because of the sudden popularity of the cuisine Adjective they spent the weekend at home, attending to household chores “ozone” is now a household word, thanks to global warming
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Her detective Lord Peter Wimsey was usually to be found in the upper-class households and clubs that defined a certain strata of English society in the 1920s and 1930s. Literary Hub, 20 May 2026 The indoor air pollutants doing the most damage The biggest household offenders include tobacco and vape smoke, natural gas and wood-burning appliances, mold and mildew, pet dander, radon, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), dust mites and pesticides. Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 19 May 2026
Adjective
Poinsettias, with their vibrant red leaves, are often the star of household Christmas decorations. Elliott Harrell, Southern Living, 5 Dec. 2025 Starting October 1st, the brand is ending its Prime Invitee Program, which previously allowed non-household members to enjoy benefits like free shipping. Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for household

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1761, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of household was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Household.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/household. Accessed 22 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

household

1 of 2 noun
house·​hold ˈhau̇s-ˌhōld How to pronounce household (audio)
ˈhau̇-ˌsōld
: those who live as a family in one house
also : a social unit made up of those living together in the same house

household

2 of 2 adjective
1
: of or relating to a household : domestic
2
: familiar entry 2 sense 3a, common
a household word

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