shelter

[ shel-ter ]

noun

1. something beneath, behind, or within which a person, animal, or thing is protected from storms, missiles, adverse conditions, etc.; refuge.

   Synonyms: harbor, haven, shield, sanctuary, asylum, retreat

2. the protection or refuge afforded by such a thing:

   He took shelter in a nearby barn.

3. protection from blame, incrimination, etc.
4. a dwelling place or home considered as a refuge from the elements:

   Everyone's basic needs are food, clothing, and shelter.

5. a building serving as a temporary refuge or residence for abandoned animals, people who are homeless, etc.: animal shelter.

   homeless shelter;

   animal shelter.

6. Finance. tax shelter.

verb (used with object)

1. to be a shelter for; afford shelter to:

   The old barn sheltered him from the rain.

   Synonyms: house, harbor

2. to provide with a shelter; place under cover.
3. to protect, as by shelter; take under one's protection:

   Parents should not try to shelter their children from normal childhood disappointments.

   Synonyms: defend, shield, safeguard, guard

4. Finance. to invest (money) in a tax shelter.

verb (used without object)

1. to take shelter; find a refuge:

   Students sheltered in the gymnasium when they heard the tornado sirens.

2. Finance. to invest money in a tax shelter.

shelter

/ ˈʃɛltə /

noun

1. something that provides cover or protection, as from weather or danger; place of refuge
2. the protection afforded by such a cover; refuge
3. the state of being sheltered

verb

1. tr to provide with or protect by a shelter
2. intr to take cover, as from rain; find refuge
3. tr to act as a shelter for; take under one's protection

Derived Forms

• ˈshelterer, noun
• ˈshelterless, adjective

Other Words From

• shel·ter·er noun
• shel·ter·ing·ly adverb
• shel·ter·less adjective
• shel·ter·less·ness noun
• self-shel·ter noun
• un·shel·ter·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of shelter¹

First recorded in 1575–85; of uncertain origin; perhaps alteration of obsolete sheltron “testudo” (a protective vault formed of Roman legionaries' shields), Old English scieldtruma, equivalent to scield + truma “body of men in battle formation”; shield ( def ), trim

Word History and Origins

Origin of shelter¹

C16: of uncertain origin

Synonym Study

See cover.

Example Sentences

"We are terrified of the typhoon, as it may intensify and the waters can rise," she told the AFP news agency from a shelter in the eastern Albay province.

From BBC

Senior members, including Esther Voet, editor of the Dutch Jewish Weekly, organised emergency shelters and coordinated rescue efforts for those fearing for their lives.

From BBC

As Franklin Roosevelt understood, democracy could only survive in the U.S. if enough Americans felt like their government was helping them find work, shelter and dignity.

From Salon

The county’s total homeless population as of January, including sheltered and unsheltered people, was essentially unchanged from the year before, about 75,000.

From Los Angeles Times

He believes they must be sheltered from any evidence that people with different identities can be strong, too.

From Salon

Related Words

• harbor
• hide
• lodge
• protect
• shield
• surround
• take care of
• take in