Household
/ˈhaʊs.hoʊld/noun
The people who live together in a house, or the domestic unit they form.
Did you know?In medieval usage, a household could include relatives, servants, apprentices, and retainers, making it a social institution rather than simply a family home.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*tḱeus-
“A dwelling or house; the probable ancient root behind the Germanic house-word family.”
Proto-Germanic
Germanic
*hūsą
“House or dwelling.”
Old English
Old English
hūs
“House, dwelling, or home.”
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kel-
“To cover, conceal, or protect; a separate root associated with the Germanic ancestor of hold.”
Old English
Old English
healdan
“To hold, keep, possess, or maintain.”
Middle English
Middle English
houshold
“The people living together in one house, especially a family and its dependents.”
Modern English
English
household
“A domestic group living in the same residence, or the home and its occupants collectively.”