cohabit

verb

co·​hab·​it (ˌ)kō-ˈha-bət How to pronounce cohabit (audio)
cohabited; cohabiting; cohabits

intransitive verb

1
: to live together as or as if a married couple
They cohabited in a small apartment.
2
a
: to live together or in company
buffaloes cohabiting with crossbred cowsBiol. Abstracts
b
: to exist together
… two strains in his philosophy … cohabit in each of his major works.Justus Buchler
So riches seemed to provoke their own discomfort, and affluence cohabited with anxiety.Simon Schama
cohabitant noun
cohabitation noun

Examples of cohabit in a Sentence

They cohabited in a small apartment in the city.
Recent Examples on the Web How serious can the crisis be if cookware and boxers cohabit so cozily with the apocalypse? Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024 Even if Patrice and Gary solely intend to cohabit, they are informed by a disability rights lawyer in one of the documentary’s early scenes that their benefits are likely to be cut. Gus Alexiou, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024 No alcohol is served onboard and as a mixed unmarried couple we are forbidden to cohabit. Kurt Johnson, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Sep. 2024 The two families, between whom distrust and paranoia mounts, are forced to cohabit as society seemingly and eerily unravels around them. Lacey Rose, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Dec. 2023 See all Example Sentences for cohabit 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cohabit.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin cohabitare, from Latin co- + habitare to inhabit, from frequentative of habēre to have — more at give

First Known Use

circa 1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cohabit was circa 1530

Dictionary Entries Near cohabit

Cite this Entry

“Cohabit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cohabit. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

cohabit

verb
co·​hab·​it kō-ˈhab-ət How to pronounce cohabit (audio)
: to live together as or as if a married couple
cohabitation noun

Legal Definition

cohabit

intransitive verb
co·​hab·​it kō-ˈha-bət How to pronounce cohabit (audio)
: to live together as a married couple or in the manner of a married couple
cohabitation noun

More from Merriam-Webster on cohabit

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