Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
July 27, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Everyday Life • Housing

Apartment

An apartment is a self-contained set of rooms used as a home, usually within a larger building and often rented rather than owned.

Updated July 27, 20261 min readCited sources

An apartment is a self-contained home within a larger building, often rented. In North American English, it's the common term; British English uses 'flat'.

What it is

An apartment is a private residential unit within a larger building or housing complex. It typically includes a living area, kitchen, bathroom, and one or more bedrooms, designed for everyday living.

Why it matters

Apartments are a major housing form in Canada, especially in urban centres. They can be rented from a landlord or owner-occupied through a condominium structure, making them a flexible option for many Canadians.

Key details

Common apartment types include studio apartments (one main room plus separate bathroom), one-bedroom apartments (one enclosed bedroom), and larger multi-bedroom units. Costs vary widely by city, size, and amenities.

In short

  • Apartments are self-contained homes in larger buildings.
  • They can be rented, leased, or owned.
  • Studio and one-bedroom are common types.
  • In Canada, apartments are a key housing form in cities.
Canadian angle

Apartments are a major housing form in Canada, especially in urban centres, and Canadian English commonly uses the term for a self-contained rental or owned unit in a multi-unit building.[4][7]

Quick questions

What is an apartment?
An apartment is a self-contained set of rooms used as a home, usually in a larger building.
What is the difference between an apartment and a condo?
An apartment is usually a rental unit, while a condo is typically separately owned by an individual. In practice, a condo can look like an apartment but differ in ownership.
What is a studio apartment?
A studio apartment is a small unit with one main living space that combines sleeping, eating, and living areas, plus a separate bathroom.

Sources

  1. Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apartment
    Supports: Primary dictionary definition of apartment as a room or set of rooms fitted for housekeeping and usually leased as a dwelling.
  2. Oxford Learner's Dictionaries — https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/english/apartment
    Supports: Definition of apartment as a set of rooms for living in, usually on one floor, and note that British English usually uses flat.
  3. Britannica Dictionary — https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/apartment
    Supports: Chiefly US usage and contrast with British usage.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apartment
    Supports: Overview of apartment types, studio apartments, one-bedroom apartments, and distinctions in ownership such as condominium versus rental use.
  5. Cambridge Dictionary — https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/apartment
    Supports: Definition of apartment and mention of one-bedroom/two-bedroom apartment terminology.
  6. Vocabulary.com — https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/apartment
    Supports: General definition of apartment as a private residence within a divided building and historical note on the term.
  7. Collins Dictionary — https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/apartment
    Supports: American English definition of apartment as a separate set of rooms for living in, usually in a building with other apartments.