ENGLISH
REFERENCE

residence

n.
US //ˈɹɛzɪdəns// UK //ɹˈɛzɪdəns// res·i·dence
  1. 1 a home (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

    a house or apartment where someone lives, especially a large or impressive one.

    a person's home; specifically, a building or part of a building used as a dwelling. Often carries a formal or prestigious connotation.

    Example

    The prime minister's official residence is located in the center of the city.

    Example

    The historic estate served as the family's primary residence for over three centuries before being converted into a public museum.

    Usage

    Often used with 'official' or 'private'.

  2. 2 legal status (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Technical Law

    the legal right or fact of living in a particular place or country.

    the fact or status of living in a particular place, often for legal, tax, or immigration purposes.

    Example

    You must prove five years of residence in the country to apply for a passport.

    Example

    The applicant was required to provide utility bills and bank statements as evidence of continuous residence within the jurisdiction.

    Usage

    Uncountable in this legal sense.

Show 1 more senseShow fewer
  1. 3 student housing (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate British English

    a building where students live while studying at a university.

    accommodation provided for students at a college or university, often referred to as a hall of residence.

    Example

    Most first-year students choose to live in a hall of residence on campus.

    Example

    The university is investing in a new hall of residence to accommodate the growing number of international postgraduates.

    Teacher's tip

    In British English, 'hall of residence' is the standard term, whereas American English typically uses 'dormitory' or 'dorm'.

Origin

Inherited from Middle English residence, from Old French residence, from Medieval Latin residentia, from residēns, present participle of resideō, equivalent to reside + -ence.

© 2026 English Reference