House
/haʊs/
Definitions
5 meaningsA building that people live in.
/haʊs/
A building for human habitation.
We just bought a new house.
💡 Simply: A house is like a big box where people live, eat, and sleep. It has walls, a roof, and maybe a yard! Just imagine your friend coming over to your place
👶 For kids: A house is a place where people live. It has walls and a roof.
More Examples
The house is located on a quiet street.
She cleaned her house from top to bottom.
How It's Used
"They live in a large house in the suburbs."
"The house went up for sale last week."
A family or group of people living together in the same building.
/haʊs/
A family or group of people living together.
The whole house was excited about the vacation.
💡 Simply: When people talk about 'the house', it's not the building, but everyone who shares it. Like when your whole family is home.
👶 For kids: The people who live in a house together, like your family.
More Examples
A quiet house is a peaceful environment.
The new baby has brought so much joy to the house.
How It's Used
"The whole house came to the party."
A building for a specific purpose, such as a theater or the legislature.
/haʊs/
A building used for a specific purpose.
They are building a new concert house.
💡 Simply: A house can also be a place for doing something, like the place where they put on plays, a theatre.
👶 For kids: A building that does a special job, like a school or a theater.
More Examples
The House of Commons debated the new bill.
We went to the playhouse to see a drama.
How It's Used
"The opera house has been renovated."
"The House of Representatives votes on new legislation."
To provide a person or thing with a place to live or be stored.
/haʊz/
To provide someone with accommodation.
The shelter houses many homeless people.
💡 Simply: When you house someone, you give them a place to stay. It's like welcoming a guest to your place.
👶 For kids: To give someone a place to live.
More Examples
The museum houses a collection of ancient artifacts.
The hotel can house a lot of guests
How It's Used
"We housed the refugees temporarily."
To contain or store something.
/haʊz/
This building houses a very large library.
💡 Simply: When a museum or a library 'houses' things, it's where they keep all their cool collections.
👶 For kids: To keep something inside a building.
More Examples
The treasure chest houses all the jewels.
The fridge houses the food
How It's Used
"The museum houses an impressive collection of artifacts."
Synonyms
Abode
Dwelling
Clan
Family
Building
Establishment
Accommodate
Contain
Hold
Idioms & expressions
on the house
Provided free of charge by an establishment.
"The drinks were on the house because we were celebrating a special occasion."
house arrest
A situation in which a person is confined to their own home as a form of punishment or monitoring.
"The judge sentenced him to house arrest."
in-house
Within a company or organization; done or produced by people within a company or organization.
"The company has an in-house legal team."
From Old English *hūs*, Proto-Germanic *hūsam*, from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kew- meaning "to cover, conceal".
The word 'house' has been used since Old English times and has maintained its core meaning, evolving in its nuances over time, especially in areas such as law and social contexts.
Memory tip
Think of your own house - the place where you live!