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[1] 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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