Kensington

IPA/kˈɛnsɪŋtən/
KK[kˈɛnzɪŋtən]IPA/kˈɛnzɪŋtən/

Kensington — noun

1. a wealthy area in west London, England, known for the large museums on Exhibitio

1.nounB1
Definition

a wealthy area in west London, England, known for the large museums on Exhibition Road (the Natural History Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Science Museum), for Kensington Palace (a royal home), and for Imperial College London; part of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and one of the city's most expensive places to live.

Example

Folake and her family visited the Natural History Museum in Kensington last summer.

place name as location: 'in Kensington'

A small flat near Kensington Palace cost far more than Kian expected.

Common collocations
  • in Kensington
  • near Kensington
  • Kensington area
  • South Kensington
  • Kensington Palace
  • Kensington Gardens
  • Kensington and Chelsea

Usage Note

Always capitalised as a proper noun. Often used with a preceding preposition such as 'in', 'near', or 'from' (e.g., 'a shop in Kensington', 'she lives near Kensington'). 'South Kensington' and 'North Kensington' refer to different parts of the larger district with distinct characters.

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The name Kensington comes from Old English, originally recorded as 'Kenesington' in the Domesday Book (1086). It is thought to mean 'the settlement (tūn) of a man named Cynesige' — a personal name combining 'cyne' (royal) and 'sige' (victory). Over time the spelling shifted to Kensington, and the area grew from a small Middlesex village into a wealthy London district. It was granted 'royal borough' status by Queen Victoria, who was born at Kensington Palace.