hearth

noun

ˈhärth 

1

a

: a brick, stone, or concrete area in front of a fireplace

b

: the floor of a fireplace

also : fireplace

c

: the lowest section of a furnace

especially : the section of a furnace on which the ore or metal is exposed to the flame or heat

2

: home

longed for the comforts of hearth and home

3

: a vital or creative center

the central hearth of occidental civilization

—A. L. Kroeber

Synonyms

• abode
• diggings
• domicile
• dwelling
• fireside
• habitation
• hearthstone
• home
• house
• lodging
• pad
• place
• quarters
• residence
• roof

Examples of hearth in a Sentence

They swept the ashes from the hearth.

all were welcome, friends and strangers alike, to their humble hearth

Recent Examples on the Web

The hearth at a brick-floored home in Tuscany, in the unpretentious and agricultural town of Chianti. —Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 20 Sep. 2024

The Brothers Patterson — Dan, 48, Joel, 45, and Andy, 43 — all work together making doors, tables, hearths, and other works of art out of metal and spend their spare time playing heavy metal music together. —Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2024

The two have worked together for three months to craft the menu, which focuses on local, seasonal ingredients cooked over Ash’s signature wood-burning hearth, the focal point of the restaurant’s dining space. —Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 20 Sep. 2024

Fill a basket or wood tray with gourds and place them on the hearth or coffee table. —Marni Jameson, The Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English herth, from Old English heorth; akin to Old High German herd hearth, and probably to Sanskrit kūḍayāti he scorches

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing hearth

• hearth and home
• open-hearth
• open-hearth process

Kids Definition

hearth

noun

ˈhärth 

1

a

: the area in front of a fireplace

b

: the floor of a fireplace

c

: the lowest section of a blast furnace

2

: home entry 1 sense 1a