Habitation

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Habitation

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

noun

Pronunciation

hab-it-AY-shun  /ˌhæbɪˈteɪʃ(ə)n/

Definition

The action of living in or occupying a place; a place of residence; the state of being inhabited.

Plain meaning

Habitation means the act of living somewhere or the fact that a place is lived in. A place fit for human habitation is one suitable for people to live in; signs of habitation indicate that people are or have been living there.

Register

Formal to slightly archaic. Habitation is used in legal, archaeological, biblical, and literary contexts. In everyday speech, home, residence, or dwelling are more commonly used. The phrase fit for human habitation is the most common current use in a legal context.