Real Dictionary

housewife
countable noun: A housewife is a married woman who does not have a paid job, but instead looks after her home and children.

housewife in American English
a woman, esp. a married woman, whose principal occupation is managing a household and taking care of domestic affairs
to manage with efficiency and economy, as a household
noun: a married woman who manages her own household, esp. as her principal occupation

housewife in British English
noun: a woman, typically a married woman, who keeps house, usually without having paid employment