habitation

noun

hab·​i·​ta·​tion ˌha-bə-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce habitation (audio)
Synonyms of habitationnext
1
: the act of inhabiting : occupancy
not fit for human habitation
2
: a dwelling place
3
: settlement, colony

Synonyms of habitation

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Examples of habitation in a Sentence

The house was not fit for human habitation. a wilderness area with few habitations
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Artemis program, proposing lunar habitation and infrastructure, stands to redefine the role of our species within the universe. — Time, 2 June 2026 Phase three involves a semipermanent operations site with habitations, roads, power, and constant astronaut rotation. — Jorge Garay, Wired News, 27 May 2026 Cornelius Houston will face charges of burglary of a habitation with intent to commit other felony and unlawful restraint, according to Fort Worth jail records. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 June 2026 Mates and Fong were among hundreds of volunteers who fanned out across the Bay Area in late January to count homeless people living outdoors, in vehicles, or in other places not meant for habitation. — Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 21 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for habitation

Word History

Etymology

Middle English habitacioun, from Anglo-French habitaciun, from Latin habitation-, habitatio, from habitare to inhabit, frequentative of habēre

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of habitation was in the 14th century

Rhymes for habitation

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Browse Nearby Words

habitat group
habitation
habit clinic
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Cite this Entry

“Habitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/habitation. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

habitation

noun
hab·​i·​ta·​tion ˌhab-ə-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce habitation (audio)
1
: the act of inhabiting : occupancy
2
: a dwelling place : residence

Legal Definition

habitation

noun
hab·​i·​ta·​tion ˌha-bə-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce habitation (audio)
1
a
: the act of occupying or inhabiting
b
in the civil law of Louisiana : the right of a person to dwell in the house of another
2
: a dwelling place

More from Merriam-Webster on habitation

Nglish: Translation of habitation for Spanish Speakers

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