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residency

n.
US //ˈɹɛzɪdənsi// UK //ɹˈɛzɪdənsi// res·i·den·cy
  1. 1 legal living status (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal Law

    the fact of living in a place officially or legally.

    the legal state or condition of being a resident in a particular jurisdiction.

    Example

    She had to prove her residency in the city to get a library card.

    Example

    The applicant must provide documented evidence of continuous residency for at least five years to qualify for the permanent visa category.

    Usage

    Often used with 'apply for' or 'permanent'.

  2. 2 medical training (n.)
    C1 Advanced American English Technical Medicine

    a period of specialized medical training in a hospital for a doctor.

    a stage of graduate medical education where a doctor practices medicine under supervision in a hospital.

    Example

    After finishing medical school, he started his residency in surgery.

    Example

    During her three-year residency in pediatrics, she worked eighty-hour weeks while rotating through various specialized hospital wards.

    Usage

    Commonly used in North American English; 'registrar' is the more common equivalent in British English.

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  1. 3 artist or musician's contract (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Music

    a job where an artist or musician performs regularly at one place for a long time.

    a fixed-term appointment for a creative professional, such as a musician or writer, to work or perform at a specific institution or venue.

    Example

    The famous singer has a two-year residency at a hotel in Las Vegas.

    Example

    The string quartet accepted a prestigious residency at the university, which involved both public performances and mentoring student composers.

    Teacher's tip

    In modern music contexts, this often refers specifically to high-profile Las Vegas concert series.

Origin

From reside + -ency or resident + -cy.

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