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

The latest homeless count did show some long-awaited progress: The number of unsheltered homeless people — those who live outside instead of in a shelter or other temporary housing— dropped 5% in the county and 10% in the city.

From Los Angeles Times

As authorities determined what to do, Glendale Unified School District officials ordered the high school and nearby La Crescenta Elementary to shelter in place.

From Los Angeles Times

They are staying with a friend after the destruction of their flat; she said they sleep in the corridor at night to shelter from the constant drone attacks.

From BBC

Walz made it clear that he was serious about fighting, too, promising the North Star State would remain a “shelter from the storm” as long as he is the state’s governor.

From Salon

Esther Voet, editor-in-chief of a Dutch Jewish weekly newspaper, lives in the city centre and says she offered her home to shelter several Israeli fans, after she saw footage of the violence.

From BBC

Related Words

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