noun

hab

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Hab (noun) means informal shorthand for a habitation module or living structure, especially in space travel or off-grid settings. Example: “The astronauts sealed the airlock and retreated to the hab before the dust storm hit.”

noun

Informal shorthand for a habitation module or living structure, especially in space travel or off-grid settings.

"The astronauts sealed the airlock and retreated to the hab before the dust storm hit."

"They built a small hab out of shipping containers on the edge of the property."

Informal nickname for a player on the Montreal Canadiens ice hockey team.

"The Habs need a big performance tonight to force a game seven."

How to use hab

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA short, casual word — either a basic living shelter, or (capitalized, usually plural "Habs") a Montreal Canadiens player/fan term.

When to use it

Very informal; "hab" for housing shows up mostly in sci-fi, survivalist, and space-exploration contexts, while "Habs" is standard hockey slang in Canada.

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: habs

Test yourself on “hab” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The astronauts sealed the airlock and retreated to the _____ before the dust storm hit.

Etymology

A clipped form of "habitation" (for the housing sense) and of "Habitants," an old nickname for French-Canadian settlers, later shortened to "Habs" for the Montreal Canadiens.

Origin: French

Frequently asked questions

What does “hab” mean?

The word “hab” means informal shorthand for a habitation module or living structure, especially in space travel or off-grid settings. In plain terms, a short, casual word — either a basic living shelter, or (capitalized, usually plural "Habs") a Montreal Canadiens player/fan term.

How do you use “hab” in a sentence?

Here is “hab” used in a sentence: “The astronauts sealed the airlock and retreated to the hab before the dust storm hit.”

What part of speech is “hab”?

“Hab” is a noun.

Where does the word “hab” come from?

The word “hab” comes from French. A clipped form of "habitation" (for the housing sense) and of "Habitants," an old nickname for French-Canadian settlers, later shortened to "Habs" for the Montreal Canadiens.

How many meanings does “hab” have?

“Hab” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: informal shorthand for a habitation module or living structure, especially in space travel or off-grid settings.

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