# Kensington

/ˈkɛnzɪŋtən/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/kensington
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. London district

noun · CEFR B1

a wealthy area in West London that is home to famous museums and Kensington Palace.

For teachers: an affluent district in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London, known for its high property values and major cultural institutions.

- We spent the afternoon visiting the Natural History Museum in Kensington.
- The residential streets of Kensington are lined with some of the most expensive Victorian townhouses in the United Kingdom.

### 2. sewing circle

noun · CEFR C2 · American English · Archaic

a group of women who meet to sew and talk together.

For teachers: a social gathering or circle of women organised for the purpose of sewing.

- The local ladies held a kensington every Tuesday to work on their quilts.
- In the early twentieth century, the weekly kensington served as a vital social hub for women in rural Midwestern communities.

Usage: Often written with a lowercase 'k' in modern historical contexts.

Teaching tip: This sense is extremely rare today and mostly found in historical American literature; modern speakers would simply say 'sewing circle'.

## Examples

- We spent the afternoon walking through Kensington Gardens.
- Many tourists visit Kensington to see the Natural History Museum and the Royal Albert Hall.
- The architectural landscape of Kensington is defined by its grand Victorian terraces and the presence of several major cultural institutions along Exhibition Road.

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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.