shelter

1 of 2

noun

shel·​ter ˈshel-tər How to pronounce shelter (audio)
plural shelters
1
a
: something that covers or affords protection
a bomb shelter
We made a shelter from branches.
see also fallout shelter, tax shelter
b
: an establishment providing food, protection, and temporary housing for people who need assistance
a shelter for battered women
shelters for the unhoused
c
: an establishment that houses and feeds stray or unwanted animals
a no-kill shelter
2
: a position or the state of being covered and protected (as from bad weather or danger)
We ran for shelter when the rain started.
The hikers took shelter in an abandoned cabin.
shelterless adjective

shelter

2 of 2

verb

sheltered; sheltering ˈshel-t(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce shelter (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to constitute or provide a shelter for : protect
has led a sheltered life
2
: to place under shelter or protection
sheltered himself in a mountain cave
3
: to protect (income) from taxation

intransitive verb

: to take shelter
shelterer noun
Phrases
shelter in place
: to remain inside in one's current location until a danger has passed : to temporarily take shelter in a protected space
The … campus was placed under lockdown in response to the shooting. People on campus were advised to shelter in place. No students were hurt or endangered, the school said.Julia Jacobo
These communities—including our own—need to start hardening themselves against future fires. That means preparing homes for fires the way we already do for earthquakes and floods. It also means developing better alert systems, heeding evacuation warnings when they come and being prepared to shelter in place when escape routes are cut off …The Press Democrat (Santa Rosa, California)

Examples of shelter in a Sentence

Noun We made a shelter from branches. a shelter for battered women The organization provides food and shelter for homeless people. The crowd ran for shelter when the rain started. They sought shelter from the storm. Verb A cave sheltered the climbers during the storm. They sheltered in a cave while they waited for the storm to pass.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
The dogs available for adoption are from flooded shelters in North Carolina. Carlie Kollath Wells, Axios, 24 Oct. 2024 The commendation celebrates Hyland’s outspoken advocacy for survivors of relationship abuse and simultaneously builds on Purina’s Purple Leash Program, which provides resources and support to help domestic violence shelters go pet-friendly so survivors with pets can remain together. Rosemary Rossi, Variety, 24 Oct. 2024
Verb
Days can be spent soaking up the sun at the infinity pool (settle down and you’ll be bought your own mini cooler box stocked with iced water and fruit juice) or at the beach, which is sheltered by dramatic rock formations leading to hidden coves. Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 His administration achieved a goal of sheltering 1,000 people experiencing homelessness in the first six months of his term last year and is working on the next 1,000 under the All in Mile High initiative. Aldo Svaldi, The Denver Post, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for shelter 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun

1585, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1590, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shelter was in 1585

Dictionary Entries Near shelter

Cite this Entry

“Shelter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shelter. Accessed 10 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

shelter

1 of 2 noun
shel·​ter ˈshel-tər How to pronounce shelter (audio)
1
a
: something that covers or protects
an air raid shelter
a fallout shelter
b
: a place that provides food and lodging (as to the homeless)
c
: a place that houses and feeds stray or unwanted animals
2
: the state of being protected
take shelter from a storm

shelter

2 of 2 verb
sheltered; sheltering -t(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce shelter (audio)
1
: to be a shelter for : provide with shelter
2
: to find and use a shelter

More from Merriam-Webster on shelter

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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