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REFERENCE

housing

n. · v.
US //ˈhaʊzɪŋ// UK //hˈaʊzɪŋ// hous·ing
  1. 1 homes and buildings (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    buildings or apartments where people live, looked at as a group.

    houses, apartments, or other shelters considered collectively. Uncountable in this collective sense.

    Example

    The city needs more affordable housing for young families moving to the area.

    Example

    The government's new urban development initiative aims to address the chronic shortage of social housing in the metropolitan area.
  2. 2 mechanical cover (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Technical

    a hard cover that protects a machine or a piece of equipment.

    a sturdy case or enclosure designed to protect a mechanical part or electronic component.

    Example

    The metal housing of the motor was hot to the touch after an hour of use.

    Example

    The waterproof housing allows the camera to function at depths of up to thirty metres without risking internal circuitry damage.
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  1. 3 providing shelter (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

    the act of giving someone a place to live.

    the provision of accommodation or the act of sheltering someone or something.

    Example

    The charity is responsible for the housing of refugees during the winter months.

    Example

    The university assumes responsibility for the housing of all first-year international students within the campus residential halls.
  2. 4 living or storing (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the action of providing a space for people to live or for things to be kept.

    the present participle of 'house', referring to the act of providing space, shelter, or storage.

    Example

    They are housing the extra equipment in a temporary shed behind the office.

    Example

    By housing the collection in a climate-controlled environment, the museum ensures the long-term preservation of the delicate parchment manuscripts.
Etymology 1

From Middle English housynge, housinge, from housen (“to house, shelter; receive into one's house”), equivalent to house + -ing. Cognate with Scots housing (“housing”), Old Frisian hūsinge (whence Saterland Frisian Huzenge); compare also Dutch huizing, behuizing (“housing”), Low German husing, hüsing (“housing”), German Behausung (“housing”), Swedish inhysing (“housing”).

Etymology 2

From house + -ing.

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