# residence

/ˈɹɛzɪdəns/ (US) · /ɹˈɛzɪdəns/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. a home

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

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

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

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

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

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

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

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

### 3. student housing

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

a building where students live while studying at a university.

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

- Most first-year students choose to live in a hall of residence on campus.
- The university is investing in a new hall of residence to accommodate the growing number of international postgraduates.

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

## Examples

- The palace is the official residence of the king.
- To apply for a local library card, you must provide proof of residence such as a utility bill.
- The ambassador's private residence is situated in a quiet district, far removed from the noise and political activity of the embassy itself.

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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.