tenement
UK: ˈtenəmənt | US: ˈtenəmənt
n. a large building divided into apartments, often in poor condition
n. (historical) property held by a tenant under feudal law
n. (law) any form of permanent property ownership
The word "tenement" traces back to Latin tenēre ("to hold"), reflecting its historical legal sense of property held by a tenant. Over time, it evolved to describe multi-occupancy buildings, particularly in urban areas, where tenants "held" living spaces under landlords. The shift to its modern connotation of low-quality housing emerged in the 19th century, tied to industrialization and overcrowding.
The old tenement housed dozens of immigrant families in the early 1900s.
Feudal tenements were tied to specific obligations under medieval law.
The city plans to renovate the crumbling tenement next year.
Tenement buildings often lacked proper ventilation and sanitation.
In legal terms, land can be classified as a tenement.