lodge

1 of 2

verb

lodged; lodging

transitive verb

1
a(1)
: to provide temporary quarters for
The refugees need to be lodged and fed.
(2)
: to rent lodgings to
hoped that they would lodge him for the winter
b
: to establish or settle in a place
The troops lodged themselves in the town.
2
: to serve as a receptacle for : contain
a sinus lodging the nerve and artery of the part
3
: to beat (a crop) flat to the ground
4
: to bring to an intended or a fixed position (as by throwing or thrusting)
5
: to deposit for safeguard or preservation
agents collect the rent for the land, and lodge it in the bankG. B. Shaw
6
: to place or vest especially in a source, means, or agent
a small family unit … with formal authority lodged in the fatherJohn Dollard
7
: to lay (something, such as a complaint) before a proper authority : file
the defendant then lodged an appealPriscilla Hughes

intransitive verb

1
a
: to occupy a place temporarily : sleep
lodged on a cot overnight
b(1)
: to have a residence : dwell
lodged over a bookshop
(2)
: to be a lodger
lodged with them for a year
2
: to come to a rest
the bullet lodged in the wall
3
: to fall or lie down
used especially of hay or grain crops
buckwheat … tends to lodge by late fallR. E. Trippensee

lodge

2 of 2

noun

1
chiefly dialectal : a rude shelter or abode
2
a
: a house set apart for residence in a particular season (such as the hunting season)
b
: a resort hotel : inn
mountain lodges
3
a
: a house on an estate originally for the use of a gamekeeper, caretaker, or porter
b
: a shelter for an employee (such as a gatekeeper)
4
: a den or lair especially of gregarious animals (such as beavers)
5
a
: the meeting place of a branch of an organization and especially a fraternal organization
a Masonic lodge
b
: the body of members of such a branch
6
a
: wigwam
b
: a family of North American Indians
The tribe consisted of about 200 lodges.

Examples of lodge in a Sentence

Verb The workers were lodged in temporary camps. The refugees needed to be lodged and fed. We lodged at the resort. The bullet lodged in his brain. The bullet lodged itself in his brain. The group has lodged a grievance. Noun He's a member of a Masonic lodge. an annual dinner at the lodge
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
The man targeted still has bullet bits lodged in his chest, Brown said. Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025 First responders found a vehicle lodged in the roof. Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2025
Noun
In June, the lodge will welcome Dry Fly Saloon, its on-site restaurant, serving hearty breakfasts and dinners inspired by Montana’s culinary traditions. Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 30 May 2025 While the carriage rooms in the castle courtyard offer a modern design and marble bathrooms, an option best suited for families, the self-catering lodges along the estate’s golf course are ideal for groups or longer stays. Emese MacZko, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for lodge

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English loge, from Anglo-French, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German louba porch

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(1)

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lodge was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lodge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lodge. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

lodge

1 of 2 verb
lodged; lodging
1
a
: to provide or serve as especially temporary quarters for
lodged their guests overnight
b
: to establish or settle oneself in a place
c
: to settle or live in as a residence
d
: to rent lodgings to
2
: to serve as a receptacle for : contain
3
: to bring or come to a rest and remain
the bone lodged in the throat
the bullet lodged in a tree
4
: to lay before a proper authority : file
lodge a complaint

lodge

2 of 2 noun
1
a
: a house set apart for residence in a special season
a hunting lodge
b
: a resort hotel
ski lodge
c
: a house for an employee on an estate
the gamekeeper's lodge
2
: a den or lair of wild animals (as beavers)
3
: the meeting place of a branch (as of a fraternal organization)
also : the members of such a branch
4
a
: wigwam
b
: a family of North American Indigenous people

Biographical Definition

Lodge 1 of 4

biographical name (1)

Henry Cabot 1850–1924 American statesman and author

Lodge

2 of 4

biographical name (2)

Henry Cabot 1902–1985 grandson of Henry Cabot Lodge American politician and diplomat

Lodge

3 of 4

biographical name (3)

Sir Oliver Joseph 1851–1940 English physicist

Lodge

4 of 4

biographical name (4)

Thomas 1558–1625 English poet and dramatist

More from Merriam-Webster on lodge

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!