community home: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Official, Social Care
Quick answer
What does “community home” mean?
A residential institution providing care and accommodation, typically for children, young people, or adults with specific needs, often run by local authorities or charities.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A residential institution providing care and accommodation, typically for children, young people, or adults with specific needs, often run by local authorities or charities.
1) In a broader sense, a place where a specific community lives collectively (e.g., a religious community). 2) A home that serves as a hub or base for a particular local community's activities.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In UK English, 'community home' is a formal, established term in social services and law (e.g., 'Children's Homes' were formerly called 'Community Homes'). In US English, it is rarely used as a specific institutional term; phrases like 'group home', 'residential facility', or 'community residence' are preferred.
Connotations
UK: Institutional care, local authority responsibility, child welfare. US: Vague; if used, it might imply a less formal, neighbourhood-based shared living space.
Frequency
Much more frequent in UK English, particularly in legal, social work, and policy contexts. Very low frequency in general US English.
Grammar
How to Use “community home” in a Sentence
He was placed in a [community home].The council runs several [community homes].She works at a [community home] for young adults.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “community home” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The local authority decided to community-home the teenager due to safeguarding concerns. (Note: This is a highly specific and rare verbalisation)
adjective
British English
- The community-home system has undergone major reforms.
- She has a community-home placement.
American English
- Community-home care models are discussed in the report. (Less common)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Used in social policy, sociology, and law papers discussing child welfare systems and residential care models.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation unless discussing social care or local news about such facilities.
Technical
A defined term in UK social care legislation and regulations, specifying types of accommodation for looked-after children.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “community home”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “community home”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “community home”
- Using 'community home' to mean 'community centre' (a place for activities, not living).
- Using it as a synonym for 'neighbourhood' (e.g., 'I love my community home' is incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A community home typically refers to care for children or young people, while a nursing home provides medical and personal care for the elderly.
No, that would be incorrect. The term has strong institutional connotations. Use 'community', 'neighbourhood', or 'local area' instead.
In the UK, 'community home' is a formal legal category. 'Group home' is a more general term used in both UK and US English for small, residential care settings. In the US, 'group home' is the standard term.
It is common in specific UK professional contexts (social work, law) but uncommon in everyday conversation or in general American English.
A residential institution providing care and accommodation, typically for children, young people, or adults with specific needs, often run by local authorities or charities.
Community home is usually formal, official, social care in register.
Community home: in British English it is pronounced /kəˈmjuːnəti həʊm/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˈmjuːnəti hoʊm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A home from home (used to describe a community home that is particularly welcoming and comfortable)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A 'home' provided by the 'community' (or local government) for those who need collective care.
Conceptual Metaphor
INSTITUTION AS A SUBSTITUTE FAMILY (The community home acts as a metaphorical family structure provided by the state).
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is 'community home' a specific, technical term of social care?