heaven

[hev-uhn]

noun

1. the abode of God, the angels, and the spirits of the righteous after death; the place or state of existence of the blessed after the mortal life.

2. (initial capital letter),  Often Heavens the celestial powers; God.

3. a metonym for God.

   May heaven help us!

4. (used with a singular verb),  heavens, a wooden roof or canopy over the outer stage of an Elizabethan theater.

5. Usually heavens. the sky, firmament, or expanse of space surrounding the earth.

6. a place or state of supreme happiness.

   She made his life a heaven on earth.

interjection

1. heavens, (used to express emphasis, surprise, etc.).

   For heaven's sake!

   Good heavens!

heaven

/ ˈhɛvən /

noun

1. (sometimes capital) Christianity

   1. the abode of God and the angels

   2. a place or state of communion with God after death Compare hell

2. (usually plural) the sky, firmament or space surrounding the earth

3. (in any of various mythologies) a place, such as Elysium or Valhalla, to which those who have died in the gods' favour are brought to dwell in happiness

4. a place or state of joy and happiness

5. God or the gods, used in exclamatory phrases of surprise, exasperation, etc

   for heaven's sake

   heavens above

6. ecstatically happy

7. to do everything possible (to achieve something)

heaven

1. The dwelling place of God, the angels, and the souls of those who have gained salvation (see also salvation); a place of the greatest peace and beauty. (Compare hell.)

Other Word Forms

• heavenless adjective
• underheaven noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of heaven¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English heven, Old English heofon; cognate with Middle Low German heven; akin to Old Norse himinn, Gothic himins, German Himmel

Word History and Origins

Origin of heaven¹

Old English heofon; related to Old Saxon heban

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. move heaven and earth, to do one's utmost to effect an end; make a supreme effort.

   She promised to move heaven and earth to be there for our wedding anniversary.

More idioms and phrases containing heaven

• for one's (heaven's) sake
• god (heaven) forbid
• god (heaven) knows
• in seventh heaven
• in the name of (heaven)
• manna from heaven
• move heaven and earth
• pennies from heaven
• seventh heaven
• stink to high heaven
• thank god (heaven)

Example Sentences

"They told us that the world had become infidel and godless, and only martyrdom would take a person to heaven," he says.

Read more on BBC

“When I go to heaven, I’m going to ask God why he didn’t build me like that?” joked defensive line coach Shaun Nua.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A recent YouGov poll asked, “If the Rapture were to occur tonight, do you think you would be more likely to ascend to heaven or to be left behind?”

Read more on Salon

And I don’t think flaws are encouraged — the Christian response is always: That’s a question I’ll ask God when I get to heaven.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The heaven part was the place she knew all her life as a third-generation resident of Beeri, with its printing press and basketball team.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• Promised Land 
• immortality 
• nirvana 
• paradise