Household Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˈhaʊshoʊld/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A household is a group of people living together in the same residence, or a domestic unit that forms a family, economic, or social structure.

Examples

1. “The average household size in the United States is around 2.5 people.”

2. “Households can take many forms, including single-parent households, extended families, and roommate situations.”

Synonyms

1. Family

2. Residence

Antonyms

1. Single individual

2. Public space

Additional Information

A household is often associated with a specific geographic location, such as a house, apartment, or other dwelling. The structure and dynamics of households can vary significantly depending on factors like culture, socio-economic status, and family dynamics.

In addition to being a basic unit of society, households play a critical role in economic development. The collective consumption patterns of households have a significant impact on a nation’s overall economic health. Household consumption drives demand for goods and services, which in turn stimulates production and job creation.

Households can also have a significant impact on environmental sustainability. For example, energy consumption patterns within households can affect overall energy usage and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Efforts to reduce energy consumption and adopt more sustainable practices at the household level can contribute to broader environmental sustainability goals.

Etymology

The word “household” originated from the Old English words “hūs” meaning “house” and “hald” meaning “family” or “people living together”. Over time, the term has evolved to encompass various types of domestic arrangements and economic units.

Usage Notes

The term “household” is often used in academic, policy, and media contexts to describe various types of domestic arrangements. However, the specific usage of the term can vary depending on the context and culture. In general, the term refers to a domestic unit that shares resources and provides support to its members.

Cultural References

The concept of a household has been featured prominently in literature and film throughout history. Examples include novels like “Pride and Prejudice” and films like “Mrs. Doubtfire” which often depict households as sites of social change, personal growth, and domestic struggle.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

Common idioms and phrases associated with households include “the breadwinner” and “running a household”, which highlight the importance of economic and domestic labor within the home.

Related Words or Phrases

Words and phrases related to “household” include “family”, “residence”, “domestic”, and “kinship”, all of which emphasize the importance of social relationships and domestic structures.

Collocations

Common word combinations that include the term “household” include “household income”, “household chores”, and “household size”, which emphasize the practical and economic aspects of household management.

Frequency of Use

The term “household” is frequently used in both academic and popular discourse to describe a range of social and economic phenomena. It is commonly used in contexts related to policy-making, sociology, economics, and demographics.

Common Misspellings

Common misspellings of the term “household” include “house hold” and “househould”, which highlight the importance of attention to detail when using the word in written communication.