noun pl. houses hous′es (ho̵u′ziz)

1. a building for human beings to live in; specif.,
   1. the building or part of a building occupied by one family or tenant; dwelling place
   2. Brit. a college in a university
   3. an inn; tavern; hotel
   4. a building where a group of people live as a unit a fraternity house
   5. a monastery, nunnery, or similar religious establishment
   6. ☆ Informal a brothel
2. the people who live in a house, considered as a unit; social group; esp., a family or household
3. a family as including kin, ancestors, and descendants, esp. a royal or noble family the House of Tudor
4. something regarded as a house; place that provides shelter, living space, etc.; specif.,
   1. the habitation of an animal, as the shell of a mollusk
   2. a building or shelter where animals are kept the monkey house in a zoo
   3. a building where things are kept when not in use a carriage house
5. any place where something is thought of as living, resting, etc.
6. 1. a theater
   2. the audience in a theater
7. 1. a place of business
   2. a business firm; commercial establishment
8. ☆ the management of a gambling establishment
9. a church, temple, or synagogue house of worship
10. 1. the building or rooms where a legislature or branch of a legislature meets
    2. a legislative assembly or governing body
11. ☆ house music
12. Astrol.
    1. any of the twelve parts into which the heavens are divided by great circles through the north and south points of the horizon
    2. a sign of the zodiac considered as the seat of a planet's greatest influence

Etymology: ME hous < OE hus, akin to Ger haus (OHG hūs) < IE *(s)keus- < base *(s)keu-, to cover, conceal > sky

adjective

transitive verb housed, housing hous′·ing

1. to provide, or serve as, a house or lodgings for
2. to store in a house
3. to cover, harbor, or shelter by or as if by putting in a house
4. Archit., Mech. to insert into a housing

intransitive verb

1. to take shelter
2. to reside; live