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REFERENCE

husband

n. · v.
US //ˈhəzbənd// UK //hˈʌsbənd// hus·band
  1. 1 married man (n.)
    A1 Beginner

    the man that a person is married to.

    a male partner in a marriage or marital relationship.

    Example

    She lives in London with her husband and their two young children.

    Example

    After twenty years of marriage, her husband decided to retire early so they could travel across Europe together.
  2. 2 to use carefully (v.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    to use something, like money or supplies, very carefully so that you do not waste it.

    to manage or administer resources with prudence and frugality to ensure they last.

    Example

    The hikers had to husband their limited water supply during the long desert trek.

    Example

    The small nation must husband its natural resources carefully if it hopes to maintain economic independence over the next decade.

    Usage

    This is a transitive verb that always requires a direct object, such as 'resources' or 'finances'.
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  1. 3 a cushion (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate American English

    a large, firm cushion with arms that supports you while you sit up in bed.

    a large pillow with armrests designed to support the back and sides of a person in a seated position.

    Example

    He leaned back against his husband pillow to read a book before sleeping.

    Example

    She bought a plush husband for her dorm room so she could study comfortably while sitting on her bed.
    • bed rest pillow
    • reading pillow
Origin

From Middle English husbonde, from Old English hūsbonda (“head of household”), from Old Norse húsbóndi, from hús + bóndi, corresponding to Proto-Germanic hūsą (“house”) and būandz (“dwelling, residing”, present participle). Compare English house and bond³.

Word family

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