housing start: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Economic, Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “housing start” mean?
A commencement of construction on a new residential building unit.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A commencement of construction on a new residential building unit.
An economic indicator measuring the number of new residential construction projects that have begun during a specific period, often used to gauge the health of the housing market and economy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is more common in American economic and business reporting. In British English, similar reports might use "housebuilding starts" or "new dwelling starts," but "housing start(s)" is understood.
Connotations
Neutral/technical in both varieties. Carries the same specific economic measurement meaning.
Frequency
Much higher frequency in American English, particularly in financial news. Considered a specialist term in British English.
Grammar
How to Use “housing start” in a Sentence
[Number] + housing startsHousing starts + [Verb: rose/fell/reached]a [Adjective: monthly] report on housing startsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “housing start” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The developer will start housing construction next quarter.
- They haven't started on the housing project yet.
American English
- The builder started the new house last week.
- They are starting construction on fifty units.
adverb
British English
- Construction began housing-start-wise in the second quarter.
- (This adverbial use is extremely rare and unnatural.)
American English
- The project is moving forward, housing-start-wise, next month.
- (This adverbial use is extremely rare and unnatural.)
adjective
British English
- The house-building start date is set for spring.
- We analysed the start figures for the housing sector.
American English
- The housing-start data surprised analysts.
- We need the start numbers for the new subdivision.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Key metric for investors in construction, banking, and real estate sectors.
Academic
Used in economics papers analyzing business cycles, investment, and employment.
Everyday
Rarely used; might appear in news summaries about the economy.
Technical
Precisely defined statistical measure by government agencies (e.g., US Census Bureau).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “housing start”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “housing start”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “housing start”
- Using it as an uncountable noun (e.g., 'The housing start was strong'). Correct: 'Housing starts were strong.'
- Confusing it with 'housing permits' (approval stage) or 'housing completions' (final stage).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It originated and is most frequently used in American English, particularly in economics and journalism. It is understood but less common in British English, where alternatives like 'housebuilding starts' may be used.
No. It specifically refers to the beginning of construction on a new residential building. Renovations or remodels are not counted as housing starts.
Because it is a statistical aggregate. Reports almost always discuss the total number of commencements across a region or country, hence the plural form is standard.
A building permit is an authorization to build, granted before construction begins. A housing start is the actual beginning of construction work, which typically happens after the permit is issued. They are separate economic indicators.
A commencement of construction on a new residential building unit.
Housing start is usually formal, economic, journalistic in register.
Housing start: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhaʊzɪŋ stɑːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhaʊzɪŋ stɑːrt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The housing starts are a canary in the coal mine for the economy.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a START line for a race. A 'housing start' is when construction officially crosses the starting line and begins.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONSTRUCTION IS GROWTH; THE ECONOMY IS AN ORGANISM (housing starts as a vital sign).
Practice
Quiz
What does 'housing start' specifically measure?