shelter in place

American  

[shel-ter in pleys] / ˈʃɛl tər ɪn ˈpleɪs /

Or shelter-in-place

noun

1. an official order, issued during an emergency, that directs people to stay in the indoor place or building that they already occupy and not to leave unless absolutely necessary.

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verb (used without object)

1. to stay in a safe indoor place or building during an emergency.

   If police believe there is an active shooter on campus, they will order students and faculty to shelter in place.

Etymology

Origin of shelter in place

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

The US embassy in Mali issued a security alert on its website urging US citizens in and around the capital to "shelter in place".

From Barron's • Apr. 25, 2026

Their decision to order girls to shelter in place on July 4 was “a death sentence,” the complaint states, when safety for Cile and others was just steps away.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

Embassy in Kuwait, after suspending operations Tuesday and previously advising Americans in Kuwait to shelter in place.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

The department posted on social media site X, instructing U.S. citizens to leave more than a dozen countries because of safety risks and to shelter in place until they are able to do so.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2026

She urged people to follow local advice, which in most countries was to shelter in place.

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026