First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1house
noun, often attributive \ˈhau̇s\
: a building in which a family lives
: the people who live in a house
: a structure or shelter in which animals are kept
plural hous·es \ˈhau̇-zəz also -səz\
Full Definition of HOUSE
1
: a building that serves as living quarters for one or a few families : home
2
a (1) : a shelter or refuge (as a nest or den) of a wild animal (2) : a natural covering (as a test or shell) that encloses and protects an animal or a colony of zooids b : a building in which something is housed <a carriage house>
3
a : one of the 12 equal sectors in which the celestial sphere is divided in astrology b : a zodiacal sign that is the seat of a planet's greatest influence
4
a : household b : a family including ancestors, descendants, and kindred <the house of Tudor>
5
a : a residence for a religious community or for students b : the community or students in residence
6
a : a legislative, deliberative, or consultative assembly; especially : one constituting a division of a bicameral body b : the building or chamber where such an assembly meets c : a quorum of such an assembly
7
a : a place of business or entertainment <a movie house> b (1) : a business organization <a publishing house> (2) : a gambling establishment c : the audience in a theater or concert hall <a full house on opening night>
8
: the circular area 12 feet in diameter surrounding the tee and within which a curling stone must rest in order to count
9
[from The Warehouse, Chicago dance club that pioneered the style] : a type of dance music mixed by a disc jockey that features overdubbing with a heavy repetitive drumbeat and repeated electronic melody lines
— house·ful \ˈhau̇s-ˌfu̇l\ noun
— house·less \ˈhau̇-sləs\ adjective
— house·less·ness noun
— on the house
: without charge : free
See house defined for English-language learners
See house defined for kids
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Origin of HOUSE
Middle English hous, from Old English hūs; akin to Old High German hūs house
Related to HOUSE
- Synonyms
- business, company, concern, establishment, firm, enterprise, interest, outfit
2house
verb \ˈhau̇z\
: to provide shelter or a living space for (someone)
: to be a shelter for (something) : to store or contain (something)
: to surround or enclose (something) in order to protect it
housedhous·ing
Full Definition of HOUSE
transitive verb
1
a : to provide with living quarters or shelter b : to store in a house
2
: to encase, enclose, or shelter as if by putting in a house
3
: to serve as a shelter or container for : contain <buildings that house government offices>
intransitive verb
: to take shelter : lodge
See house defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of HOUSE
before 12th century
Related to HOUSE
House
biographical name \ˈhau̇s\
Definition of HOUSE
Edward Mandell 1858–1938 Colonel House Am. diplomat
HOUSE Defined for Kids
1house
noun \ˈhau̇s\
plural hous·es \ˈhau̇-zəz\
Definition of HOUSE for Kids
1
: a place built for people to live in
2
: something (as a nest or den) used by an animal for shelter
3
: a building in which something is kept <a carriage house>
4
: 1household <Her noise woke up the whole house.>
5
: a body of persons assembled to make the laws for a country <The United States Congress is made up of two houses.>
6
: a business firm <a publishing house>
7
: the audience in a theater or concert hall
2house
verb \ˈhau̇z\
housedhous·ing
Definition of HOUSE for Kids
1
: to provide with living quarters or shelter
2
: contain 2 <All three movies are housed in a single set.>
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