Meaning of house in English

1. Pronunciation

   /haʊs/

   US accent

   How to pronounce house in American English, in context ▾
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   UK accent

   How to pronounce house in British English, in context ▾
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1. Verb

   house

   Definitions

   1. contain or cover

   Examples

   • « This box houses the gears »
2. 2. provide housing for

   Examples

   • « The immigrants were housed in a new development outside the town »

3. Noun

   house

   Etymology

   Old English hūs (noun), hūsian (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch huis, German Haus (nouns), and Dutch huizen, German hausen (verbs)

   Definitions

   1. a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

   Examples

   • « he has a house on Cape Cod »
   • « she felt she had to get out of the house »
4. 2. an official assembly having legislative powers

   Examples

   • « the legislature has two houses »
5. 3. a building in which something is sheltered or located

   Examples

   • « they had a large carriage house »
6. 4. a social unit living together

   Examples

   • « he moved his family to Virginia »
   • « It was a good Christian household »
   • « I waited until the whole house was asleep »
   • « the teacher asked how many people made up his home »
7. 5. a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented

   Examples

   • « the house was full »
8. 6. members of a business organization that owns or operates one or more establishments

   Examples

   • « he worked for a brokerage house »
9. 7. aristocratic family line

   Examples

   • « the House of York »
10. 8. the members of a religious community living together
11. 9. the audience gathered together in a theatre or cinema

    Examples

    • « the house applauded »
    • « he counted the house »
12. 10. play in which children take the roles of father or mother or children and pretend to interact like adults

    Examples

    • « the children were playing house »
13. 11. (astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
14. 12. the management of a gambling house or casino

    Examples

    • « the house gets a percentage of every bet »