house

1 syllable

Quick answer

As a noun, house means a structure built or serving as an abode of human beings. As a verb, it means keep within a structure or container.

Meanings of house

46 meanings

noun

A structure built or serving as an abode of human beings.
“This is my house and my family's ancestral home.”
hong kongonly used in namesAn apartment building within a public housing estate.
Size and quality of residential accommodations.
A building intended to contain a single household, as opposed to an apartment or condominium or building containing these.
The people who live in a house; a household.
A building used for something other than a residence (typically with qualifying word).
“The former carriage house had been made over into a guest house.”
“On arriving at the zoo, we immediately headed for the monkey house.”
A place of business; a company or organisation, especially a printing press, a publishing company, or a couturier.
“A small publishing house would have a contract with an independent fulfillment house.”
A place of public accommodation or entertainment, especially a public house, an inn, a restaurant, a theatre, or a casino; or the management thereof.
“One more, sir, then I'll have to stop serving you – rules of the house, I'm afraid.”
“The house always wins.”
The audience for a live theatrical or similar performance.
A theatre.
“After her swan-song, there wasn't a dry eye in the house.”
politicsA building where a deliberative assembly meets; whence the assembly itself, particularly a component of a legislature.
“The petition was so ridiculous that the house rejected it after minimal debate.”
A dynasty; a family with its ancestors and descendants, especially a royal or noble one.
“A curse lay upon the House of Atreus.”
metaphoricalA place of rest or repose.
A grouping of schoolchildren for the purposes of competition in sports and other activities.
“I was a member of Spenser house when I was at school.”

Older and rare meanings (1)

historicalA workhouse.

verb

To keep within a structure or container.
“The car is housed in the garage.”
To admit to residence; to harbor.
To take shelter or lodging; to abide; to lodge.
astrologyTo dwell within one of the twelve astrological houses.
To contain or cover mechanical parts.
To contain one part of an object for the purpose of locating the whole.
“The joists were housed into the side walls, rather than being hung from them.”
nauticalTo stow in a safe place; to take down and make safe.
“to house the upper spars”
north americaslangTo eat.
Provide someone with accommodation
“The immigrants were housed in a new development outside the town”
Similar: put up, domiciliate