noun
Very common
housing
HOW-zihng
Housing (noun) means Buildings for people to live in, considered collectively. Example: “The city is struggling with a shortage of affordable housing.”
noun
1
Buildings for people to live in, considered collectively.
"The city is struggling with a shortage of affordable housing."
"The council plans to build more social housing near the train station."
"Many students struggle to find cheap housing close to the university."
2
A protective outer casing that covers or contains a mechanical part.
"Water had seeped into the motor housing."
"The engineer removed the gearbox housing to inspect the worn gears inside."
"A cracked housing on the camera lens let dust get in."
How to use housing
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither homes people live in as a general concept, or a protective case around machine parts.
Common pairings
affordable housing
housing market
engine housing
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Word forms
- Plural
- housings
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The city is struggling with a shortage of affordable _____.
Etymology
From Middle English housinge, from housen ("to shelter"), house + -ing.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for housing
See all rhymes for housing →Frequently asked questions
What does “housing” mean?
The word “housing” means buildings for people to live in, considered collectively. In plain terms, either homes people live in as a general concept, or a protective case around machine parts.
How do you pronounce “housing”?
“Housing” is pronounced HOW-zihng (/ˈhaʊzɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “housing” in a sentence?
Here is “housing” used in a sentence: “The city is struggling with a shortage of affordable housing.”
What is the opposite of “housing”?
The opposite of “housing” — its antonyms — is nonhousing.
What part of speech is “housing”?
“Housing” is a noun.
Where does the word “housing” come from?
The word “housing” comes from Middle English. From Middle English housinge, from housen ("to shelter"), house + -ing.
Is “housing” a common word?
“Housing” is a very common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “housing” have?
“Housing” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: buildings for people to live in, considered collectively.
What is the difference between housing and a house?
A "house" is a single building where people live. "Housing" is the broader, uncountable term for such buildings taken together, all the homes in an area or country, and the general provision of places to live. So one family lives in a house, while a government plans housing for thousands.
What are the types of housing?
Housing is often grouped by ownership and form. By ownership there is private, rented, social, and affordable housing. By form there are detached and semi-detached houses, terraced houses, flats or apartments, and bungalows. Terms like "sheltered housing" and "student housing" describe homes designed for particular groups of people.
What does "housing" mean in engineering?
In machinery, a "housing" is a rigid case or enclosure that holds and protects a moving part, such as a bearing housing or a gearbox housing. It keeps the component in place, shields it from dirt and damage, and contains any lubricant. This is a separate meaning from housing as places to live.
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