domicile

1 of 2

noun

do·​mi·​cile ˈdä-mə-ˌsī(-ə)l How to pronounce domicile (audio) ˈdō- How to pronounce domicile (audio)
ˈdä-mə-sil
variants or less commonly domicil
1
: a dwelling place : place of residence : home
2
law
a
: a person's fixed, permanent, and principal home for legal purposes
Report your change of domicile.
b
business : residence sense 2b

domicile

2 of 2

verb

domiciled; domiciling

transitive verb

law
: to establish in or provide with a domicile
the state where the decedent was domiciled

Did you know?

Domicile Has Latin Roots

Domicile traces to Latin domus, meaning "home," and English speakers have been using it as a word for "home" since at least the 15th century. In the eyes of the law, a domicile can also be a legal residence, the address from which one registers to vote, licenses a car, and pays income tax. Wealthy people may have several homes in which they live at different times of the year, but only one of their homes can be their official domicile for all legal purposes.

Examples of domicile in a Sentence

Noun You will need to report your change of domicile to your insurance company. Students must establish a domicile in the state to be eligible for reduced tuition. Verb the university domiciles students in a variety of buildings in and around its urban campus
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Meanwhile, Jupiter rules Sagittarius and Pisces, so making those its domicile signs. Lisa Stardust, People.com, 10 Oct. 2024 In the industrial districts and uncanny domiciles of Istanbul, evil gradually starts to appear. Zac Ntim, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2024
Verb
Non-doms face a major tax hit The U.K.’s non-dom regime is a 200-year-old tax rule, which permits people living in the U.K., but who are domiciled elsewhere, to avoid paying tax on income and capital gains earned overseas for up to 15 years. Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024 But should companies domiciled in a different country that has a different approach to dealing with climate change and seeking competitive advantage be required to play by EU rules? Robert G. Eccles, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for domicile 

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin domicilium, from domus — see dome entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1809, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of domicile was in the 15th century

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Dictionary Entries Near domicile

Cite this Entry

“Domicile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/domicile. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

domicile

1 of 2 noun
dom·​i·​cile
ˈdäm-ə-ˌsīl,
ˈdō-mə-;
ˈdäm-ə-səl
: a place to live : home

domicile

2 of 2 verb
domiciled; domiciling
: to establish in or provide with a place to live
Etymology

Noun

from early French domicile "place where one lives, home," from Latin domicilium (same meaning), from domus "house" — related to dome, domestic

Legal Definition

domicile

1 of 2 noun
do·​mi·​cile ˈdä-mə-ˌsīl, ˈdō- How to pronounce domicile (audio)
1
: the place where an individual has a fixed and permanent home for legal purposes

called also legal residence

2
: the place where an organization (as a corporation) is chartered or that is the organization's principal place of business compare citizenship, residence

Note: The domicile of an individual or organization determines the proper jurisdiction and venue for legal process. The courts of a person's domicile have personal jurisdiction. For persons lacking capacity (as minors), domicile is often statutorily determined as the domicile of the guardian.

domicile

2 of 2 transitive verb
domiciled; domiciling
: to establish in or provide with a domicile
an alien admitted to the United States for permanent residence shall be deemed a citizen of the State in which such alien is domiciledU.S. Code
any state in which a corporation is domiciledL. H. Tribe
Etymology

Noun

Latin domicilium dwelling place, home

More from Merriam-Webster on domicile

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