In modern use esp. N. Amer. 1. Property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals, or water; immovable property of this nature (originally contrasted with personal estate n. at estate n. 11a); an interest vested in this; (also) an item of real property; (more generally) buildings or housing in general. Also: the business of real estate; the profession of buying, selling, or renting land, buildings, or housing. Cf. real property at real adj.2 7c.