House - Definition

n 1: a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more
families; "he has a house on Cape Cod"; "she felt she had
to get out of the house"
2: the members of a business organization that owns or operates
one or more establishments; "he worked for a brokerage house"
[syn: firm, house, business firm]
3: the members of a religious community living together
4: the audience gathered together in a theatre or cinema; "the
house applauded"; "he counted the house"
5: an official assembly having legislative powers; "a bicameral
legislature has two houses"
6: aristocratic family line; "the House of York"
7: play in which children take the roles of father or mother or
children and pretend to interact like adults; "the children
were playing house"
8: (astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is
divided [syn: sign of the zodiac, star sign, sign,
mansion, house, planetary house]
9: the management of a gambling house or casino; "the house gets
a percentage of every bet"
10: a social unit living together; "he moved his family to
Virginia"; "It was a good Christian household"; "I waited
until the whole house was asleep"; "the teacher asked how
many people made up his home" [syn: family, household,
house, home, menage]
11: a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture
shows can be presented; "the house was full" [syn:
theater, theatre, house]
12: a building in which something is sheltered or located; "they
had a large carriage house"
v 1: contain or cover; "This box houses the gears"
2: provide housing for; "The immigrants were housed in a new
development outside the town" [syn: house, put up,
domiciliate]