What does lodge mean?
Lodge is a versatile word that most commonly denotes a small house or building used for accommodation, such as a mountain lodge, ski lodge, or country retreat. These buildings often imply privacy, nature, or a connection with a particular activity. As a verb, lodge can mean to stay temporarily as a guest, as in “to lodge at a hotel,” though this use is somewhat more formal than the everyday word “stay.” It also has an official sense: people lodge a complaint, application, or objection when they formally submit it to the appropriate authority. Less commonly, a lodge is a local branch or meeting place of an organization, or a shelter built by a beaver. The verb can further describe something becoming fixed or stuck, such as a bullet lodged in a wall. The word is useful because it ranges comfortably from everyday travel and leisure to formal procedure, while its historical associations with shelter continue to shape its associations with retreat, comfort, and seclusion.
A small house, inn, or building used for accommodation, often one associated with a recreational activity, scenic area, or institution.
"The mountain lodge was warm and nearly empty when they arrived."
In British and American English, lodge often suggests accommodation with a distinctive setting or purpose rather than an ordinary hotel.
To stay temporarily as a guest; to become fixed or settled in a place; or to formally register or present a complaint, application, or similar document.
"Visitors may lodge at the hotel for several nights during the festival."
The expression “lodge a complaint” is formal and administrative. “Lodge at” is also more formal than the everyday “stay at.”
The plural lodges refers to multiple accommodation buildings, or to multiple local branches or meeting places when that sense of the noun is intended.
"The two lodges along the trail offer meals and overnight accommodation."
Lodge began as a humble shelter and still carries the suggestion of a quiet retreat away from ordinary life.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does lodge come from?
The word entered Middle English in the form “loge,” borrowed from Old French loge, a word for a hut or shelter. Medieval Latin developed related forms such as laubia, and these ultimately drew on a Germanic root associated with shelter, covering, or foliage. The same broad root also underlies English leaf, while cognates appear in French loge and German Laube; the English word lobby developed through a related form of the same medieval source.
Related word forms
How lodge is actually used
As a verb meaning to stay temporarily, lodge is relatively formal and often takes the preposition “at.” In the sense of formally presenting a complaint or application, it is especially common in legal, administrative, and institutional contexts. As a noun, lodge can suggest a purpose-built retreat or accommodation associated with nature or a particular activity.
Easily confused with lodge
A lodge is a building or place for accommodation, whereas a ledge is a narrow shelf or projecting area of rock.