apartment house: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumFormal, Technical (Real Estate/Architecture), Everyday (US)
Quick answer
What does “apartment house” mean?
A building containing multiple separate residential units (apartments) rented or owned by different individuals or families.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A building containing multiple separate residential units (apartments) rented or owned by different individuals or families.
A multi-unit residential building, often with shared entrances, hallways, and facilities, as opposed to a single-family detached house. The term can imply a certain scale and architectural style, often found in urban settings.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'apartment house' is understood but very rarely used. The standard terms are 'block of flats' or simply 'apartment building'. In American English, 'apartment house' is standard and common, though 'apartment building' is equally frequent.
Connotations
In AmE, it is a neutral, descriptive term. In BrE, its use might sound like an Americanism or a term from a legal document.
Frequency
High frequency in American English, especially in formal, real estate, and architectural contexts. Very low frequency in contemporary British English.
Grammar
How to Use “apartment house” in a Sentence
The [ADJECTIVE] apartment house [VERB]...[VERB] an apartment house in [LOCATION]An apartment house for [PURPOSE/DEMOGRAPHIC]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “apartment house” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
American English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
American English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- [Not commonly used adjectivally]
American English
- The apartment-house lifestyle suited them.
- They discussed apartment-house regulations.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in real estate listings, property management, and investment discussions (e.g., 'The portfolio includes three commercial properties and one apartment house.').
Academic
Used in urban studies, sociology, and architectural history to describe a type of housing development (e.g., 'The study examined social cohesion in early 20th-century apartment houses.').
Everyday
Common in American English to describe where someone lives or a building in the neighbourhood (e.g., 'I live in the red brick apartment house on Elm Street.').
Technical
Used in zoning laws, building codes, and architectural plans to classify a structure (e.g., 'Fire regulations for an apartment house differ from those for a duplex.').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “apartment house”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “apartment house”
- Using 'apartment house' in British English where 'block of flats' is expected.
- Confusing 'apartment house' (the whole building) with 'apartment' (a single unit within it).
- Misspelling as 'apartement house'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in American English they are essentially synonyms and are used interchangeably. 'Apartment house' can sound slightly more formal or old-fashioned.
British English speakers typically say 'block of flats' or 'apartment building'. The term 'apartment house' is understood but rarely used in everyday speech.
No. The 'house' in 'apartment house' refers to the entire building. A single unit is called an 'apartment' (AmE) or a 'flat' (BrE).
Not necessarily. An apartment house contains multiple separate residences. These can be rental units or individually owned units (condominiums). The term describes the physical structure, not the ownership model.
A building containing multiple separate residential units (apartments) rented or owned by different individuals or families.
Apartment house is usually formal, technical (real estate/architecture), everyday (us) in register.
Apartment house: in British English it is pronounced /əˈpɑːt.mənt ˌhaʊs/, and in American English it is pronounced /əˈpɑːrt.mənt ˌhaʊs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specific to 'apartment house']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: An APARTMENT HOUSE is a HOUSE for many APARTments. It's a 'house' that contains multiple homes.
Conceptual Metaphor
BUILDING IS A CONTAINER (for living spaces).
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is the term 'apartment house' most commonly and naturally used?