Residency vs. Residence — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 19, 2023
"Residency" often refers to a specialized medical training program or a period of dwelling, while "residence" denotes a place where one lives.
Difference Between Residency and Residence
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Key Differences
"Residency" is a term that can denote a period during which someone lives in a particular place, often for a specific purpose. On the other hand, "residence" specifically refers to a place where someone lives, be it temporary or permanent.
In the medical field, "residency" is a postgraduate training program that doctors undergo to specialize in a particular area of medicine. In contrast, the word "residence" would not be used in this context, but instead might describe where the doctor lives while undergoing their residency.
Another distinction between "residency" and "residence" is the nature of their usage. "Residency" often implies a period or duration of stay, whereas "residence" emphasizes the physical space or dwelling itself.
In legal terms, "residency" might refer to the fulfillment of specific time-related criteria to achieve resident status in a state or country. "Residence," however, might be used to indicate the actual home or address where someone lives in that jurisdiction.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Period of living in a place or specialized training.
A place where someone lives.
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Contexts
Medical training, legal status.
Physical dwelling, address.
Emphasis
Duration or program.
Physical location or home.
Associated Actions
Undergoing, participating, completing.
Living, staying, dwelling.
Temporality
Can be temporary or specific to a purpose.
Typically emphasizes permanency but can be temporary.
Compare with Definitions
Residency
A period required to achieve legal resident status.
Their residency requirement for citizenship was three years.
Residence
The act of living in a particular place.
Her residence in the city was brief.
Residency
Postgraduate medical training program.
He began his surgical residency at a renowned hospital.
Residence
A place where a person lives.
Their residence was a lovely cottage by the sea.
Residency
The act of residing or dwelling in a place.
His residency in the apartment was quiet and uneventful.
Residence
A building or structure used as a home.
The grand residence stood at the end of the lane.
Residency
Period of living in a specific place.
Her residency in New York lasted five years.
Residence
The official home of a person of importance.
The governor's residence was open for tours.
Residency
An artist's or scholar's term at a host institution.
She received a residency at the local art institute.
Residence
A residence is a place (normally a building) used as a home or dwelling, where people reside.
Residency
The fact of living in a place
A government ruling confirmed the returning refugees' right to residency
Residence
A person's home, especially a large and impressive one
The youth hostel has been adapted from a private residence
Residency
The official residence of the Governor General's representative or other government agent, especially at the court of an Indian state.
Residence
The place in which one lives; a dwelling.
Residency
An organization of intelligence agents in a foreign country
He made contact with the KGB residency in Aden
Residence
The act or a period of residing in a place.
Residency
A musician's regular engagement at a club or other venue
He saw me at a folk club where I was doing the residency one Sunday night
Residence
A medical residency.
Residency
A period of specialized medical training in a hospital; the position of a resident.
Residence
The official home or location of a corporation.
Residency
The position or term of a medical resident.
Residence
The place where one lives (resides); one's home.
Residency
The house of a colonial resident.
Residence
A building or portion thereof used as a home, such as a house#Noun or an apartment#Noun therein.
Residency
The sphere of authority of a colonial resident.
Residence
The place where a corporation is established.
Residency
Residence.
Residence
The state of living in a particular place or environment.
Residency
The condition of being a resident of a particular place.
Residence
Accommodation for students at a university or college.
Residency
The home or residence of a person, especially in the colonies.
Residence
The place where anything rests permanently.
Residency
The position or term of a medical resident.
Residence
Subsidence, as of a sediment
Residency
The position of a musical artist who commonly performs at a particular venue.
The trance DJ was keen to secure a residency in Ibiza.
Residence
That which falls to the bottom of liquors; sediment; also, refuse; residuum.
Residency
(espionage) rezidentura
Residence
(espionage) rezidentura
Residency
Residence.
Residence
The act or fact of residing, abiding, or dwelling in a place for some continuance of time; as, the residence of an American in France or Italy for a year.
The confessor had often made considerable residences in Normandy.
Residency
A political agency at a native court in British India, held by an officer styled the Resident; also, a Dutch commercial colony or province in the East Indies.
Residence
The place where one resides; an abode; a dwelling or habitation; esp., a settled or permanent home or domicile.
Johnson took up his residence in London.
Residency
The act of dwelling in a place
Residence
The residing of an incumbent on his benefice; - opposed to nonresidence.
Residency
The position of physician who is receiving special training in a hospital (usually after completing an internship)
Residence
The place where anything rests permanently.
But when a king sets himself to bandy against the highest court and residence of all his regal power, he then, . . . fights against his own majesty and kingship.
Residence
Subsidence, as of a sediment.
Residence
That which falls to the bottom of liquors; sediment; also, refuse; residuum.
Residence
Any address at which you dwell more than temporarily;
A person can have several residences
Residence
The official house or establishment of an important person (as a sovereign or president);
He refused to live in the governor's residence
Residence
The act of dwelling in a place
Residence
A large and imposing house
Residence
The place where one has their home or domicile.
His legal residence was in California.
Common Curiosities
What does "residence" indicate?
Residence denotes the place where someone lives.
Is "residence" used to describe a structure?
Yes, "residence" can refer to a building or structure used as a home.
How do "residency" and "residence" differ in legal contexts?
"Residency" often refers to fulfilling time-related criteria for legal status, while "residence" indicates the physical address.
Can "residency" imply a temporary stay?
Yes, "residency" can indicate a temporary period of living in a place.
What does "residency" typically refer to in the medical field?
Residency refers to a postgraduate training program for doctors.
What's the primary distinction between the two terms?
"Residency" emphasizes duration or a program, while "residence" emphasizes a physical place.
Can "residency" refer to a program outside of medicine?
Yes, it can refer to programs in arts, academia, and other fields.
Can "residency" indicate a legal requirement?
Yes, such as fulfilling a duration to attain resident status in a jurisdiction.
Is a "residence" always a house?
No, it can be any dwelling like an apartment, condo, or other structure.
Do both terms have legal implications?
Yes, both can be relevant in legal contexts, like for taxes or citizenship.
Can an artist have a residency?
Yes, artists can have residencies at institutions for a specific period or project.
Does "residence" always mean a permanent home?
No, "residence" can be temporary or permanent.
Can "residency" and "residence" be used interchangeably?
Not always, as they have distinct meanings, especially in specific contexts.
Can a school offer a "residency"?
Yes, schools can offer residencies for specialized training or projects.
What might "residence" indicate on an application form?
It typically indicates the applicant's current living address.
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Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
