housekeeping
noun
house·keep·ing
ˈhau̇s-ˌkē-piŋ 
1
a
: the management of a house and home affairs
… coming home to husbands who won't share in the housekeeping …—
The Wilson Quarterly
The Wilson QuarterlyThe first defense against insect infestation is good housekeeping (regular vacuuming) to remove eggs and larvae from the fabrics.—Sara J. Wolf
Sara J. Wolf
b
: the work or activity of cleaning and preparing rooms for customers (as in a hotel)
—often used before another noun
housekeeping services
took a housekeeping job at a nearby hotel
also
: the department or employees responsible for doing such work
If you need fresh towels you can call housekeeping.
2
: the care and management of property and the provision of equipment and services (as for an industrial organization)
3
: the routine tasks that must be done in order for a system to function or to function efficiently
performing some computer housekeeping by deleting old files
Examples of housekeeping in a Sentence
We took the computer offline to do some basic housekeeping.
Recent Examples on the Web
The good news is that a pantry moth infestation is not likely an issue with your home or your housekeeping methods.
—Lauren Wicks, Southern Living, 19 July 2025
Robert Peret of Fox Point was found dead Oct. 31, 2021, at the Red Roof Inn, 6360 S. 13th St., Oak Creek, by housekeeping staff, according to police and a report from the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office.
—Erik S. Hanley, jsonline.com, 17 July 2025
Laundry is attended to daily, even on-demand, while the housekeeping staff operates with a relaxed yet relentless efficiency.
—Paula Conway, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Integrate this powerful carpet cleaner into your housekeeping routine.
—Izzy Baskette, People.com, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for housekeeping
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Lauren Wicks, Southern Living, 19 July 2025
Robert Peret of Fox Point was found dead Oct. 31, 2021, at the Red Roof Inn, 6360 S. 13th St., Oak Creek, by housekeeping staff, according to police and a report from the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office.
—Erik S. Hanley, jsonline.com, 17 July 2025
Laundry is attended to daily, even on-demand, while the housekeeping staff operates with a relaxed yet relentless efficiency.
—Paula Conway, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Integrate this powerful carpet cleaner into your housekeeping routine.
—Izzy Baskette, People.com, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for housekeeping
Cite this Entry
“Housekeeping.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/housekeeping. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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