Tenement Meaning in English
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Definition
A tenement is a large building divided into small apartments, usually old and often in poor condition, where many families live, especially those with low income. In the past, tenements were common in cities and often crowded and poorly maintained.
Usage & Nuances
Mainly used in American and British English to refer to old, urban apartment buildings for low-income tenants, especially in historical contexts. Often associated with overcrowding, poor conditions, and immigrant communities from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. 'Tenement' is rarely used for modern apartments.
Example Sentences
The family lived in a small tenement in the city.
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Many immigrants arrived and found homes in crowded tenements.
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The old tenement building was torn down last year.
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He grew up sharing a tiny room in a noisy tenement with his siblings.
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Back then, life in a tenement meant long lines for the bathroom and little privacy.
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Many old city neighborhoods are known for their historic tenements.
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