# housing

/ˈhaʊzɪŋ/ (US) · /hˈaʊzɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/housing
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. homes and buildings

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- The city needs more affordable housing for young families moving to the area.
- The government's new urban development initiative aims to address the chronic shortage of social housing in the metropolitan area.

### 2. mechanical cover

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

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

- The metal housing of the motor was hot to the touch after an hour of use.
- The waterproof housing allows the camera to function at depths of up to thirty metres without risking internal circuitry damage.

### 3. providing shelter

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

the act of giving someone a place to live.

For teachers: the provision of accommodation or the act of sheltering someone or something.

- The charity is responsible for the housing of refugees during the winter months.
- The university assumes responsibility for the housing of all first-year international students within the campus residential halls.

### 4. living or storing

verb · CEFR B2

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

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

- They are housing the extra equipment in a temporary shed behind the office.
- By housing the collection in a climate-controlled environment, the museum ensures the long-term preservation of the delicate parchment manuscripts.

## Examples

- The city needs more affordable housing for young families.
- Local government officials are meeting today to discuss the urgent need for new housing developments near the train station.
- Urban planners must balance the demand for high-density housing with the preservation of green spaces to maintain the city's overall quality of life.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.