Tenement: meaning, definitions and examples

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tenement

 

[ ˈtɛnəmənt ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

housing type

A tenement refers to a multi-occupancy building, typically a large residential structure that has been converted into individual apartments. These buildings are often found in urban areas and are characterized by affordable housing for low-income residents. Tenements can sometimes face criticism for overcrowding and poor living conditions, which has led to various reforms in housing laws. Despite these challenges, tenements represent a significant part of city living and history, offering insight into the demands of urbanization.

Synonyms

apartment building, block of flats, flat complex

Examples of usage

  • They lived in a tenement in Manhattan.
  • The old tenements needed renovations.
  • Many families were displaced from tenements during gentrification.

Translations

Translations of the word "tenement" in other languages:

🇵🇹 tenement

🇮🇳 किरायेदारी

🇩🇪 Mietskasernen

🇮🇩 sewa

🇺🇦 орендоване житло

🇵🇱 kamienica

🇯🇵 テナメント

🇫🇷 immeuble locatif

🇪🇸 edificio de viviendas

🇹🇷 kiralık daire

🇰🇷 임대 주택

🇸🇦 مبنى مؤجر

🇨🇿 nájemní dům

🇸🇰 nájomný dom

🇨🇳 租赁住房

🇸🇮 najemniška hiša

🇮🇸 leiguíbúð

🇰🇿 жалға берілетін тұрғын үй

🇬🇪 ქირავნული სახლი

🇦🇿 kirayə evi

🇲🇽 departamento de alquiler

Word origin

The word 'tenement' originates from the Old French term 'tenement', which means 'to hold' or 'to possess'. This term was derived from the Latin 'tenere', which translates to 'to hold'. Historically, the use of the term referred to a property that could be held or occupied by a person or group. In the 19th century, 'tenement' began to specifically denote buildings in urban areas intended for residential occupancy, often with multiple families living within a single structure. The rise of industrialization and urban migration led to the proliferation of tenement buildings, which provided affordable housing for workers. However, these structures were frequently criticized for sanitary and safety issues, leading to significant reforms in housing regulations in the early 20th century.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #12,125, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.