household

1 of 2

noun

house·​hold ˈhau̇s-ˌhōld How to pronounce household (audio)
ˈhau̇-ˌsōld
Synonyms of householdnext
: those who dwell under the same roof and compose a family
also : a social unit composed of those living together in the same dwelling

household

2 of 2

adjective

1
: of or relating to a household : domestic
cooking and other household arts
2
: familiar, common
a household name

Synonyms of household

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Noun

Adjective

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Examples of household in a Sentence

Noun At that time, not many households had telephones. the dish became a household word because of the sudden popularity of the cuisine Adjective they spent the weekend at home, attending to household chores “ozone” is now a household word, thanks to global warming
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.
Noun
It's become a go-to for households who compare it to pricier brands like Dyson. — Jill Layton, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026 But for everyday households, the most important point stays the same. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Adjective
Stress, overexertion and seasonal factors are some of the most common non-household triggers. — Talis Shelbourne, jsonline.com, 26 Aug. 2022 Poinsettias, with their vibrant red leaves, are often the star of household Christmas decorations. — Elliott Harrell, Southern Living, 5 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for household

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1761, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Phrases Containing household

Rhymes for household

See All Rhymes for household

Browse Nearby Words

househeating
household
household ammonia
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Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

household

1 of 2 noun
house·​hold ˈhau̇s-ˌhōld How to pronounce household (audio)
ˈhau̇-ˌsōld
: those who live as a family in one house
also : a social unit made up of those living together in the same house

household

2 of 2 adjective
1
: of or relating to a household : domestic
2
: familiar entry 2 sense 3a, common
a household word

More from Merriam-Webster on household

Nglish: Translation of household for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about household

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