Definition

Noun: A structure used as a permanent or semi-permanent residence for one or more people; a house or building in which a person or family lives.

Usage

The term "dwelling house" is a formal and somewhat legalistic synonym for "house" or "residence." It specifically emphasizes the function of a building as a place of habitation. It is often used in legal, official, or technical contexts (e.g., deeds, zoning laws, insurance documents) to distinguish a primary residence from other types of buildings like commercial properties or vacation homes.

Examples

• The city's zoning code restricts the construction of dwelling houses in industrial areas.
• The fire destroyed three dwelling houses and a barn.
• The tax applies to all dwelling houses within the municipality.

Advanced Usage

• Legal Distinction: In property law, a "dwelling house" is often defined to include the main house and its curtilage (the enclosed land and outbuildings immediately surrounding it), distinguishing it from other structures on a property.
  • Example: The easement grants access only to the farm buildings, not to the dwelling house itself.

Variants and Related Words

• Dwelling (n.): A more general term for a place where people live, which can include houses, apartments, or other types of residences. "Dwelling house" is a more specific subset of "dwelling."
• Residence (n.): The place where one lives; often interchangeable with "dwelling house" but can also refer to the act of living somewhere.
• Abode (n.): A literary or formal word for a home or dwelling place.
• Habitation (n.): The state of living in a place; also a formal word for a dwelling.

Synonyms

• House
• Home
• Residence
• Abode
• Domicile

Antonyms

• Commercial building
• Industrial property
• Vacant lot
• Uninhabited structure

Noun

1. housing that someone is living in
   • he built a modest dwelling near the pond
   • they raise money to provide homes for the homeless