heaven

American  

[hev-uhn] / ˈhɛv ən /

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.

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interjection

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

   For heaven's sake!

   Good heavens!

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.

heaven British  

/ 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)

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heaven Cultural  

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.)

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heaven More Idioms  

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)

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Other Word Forms

• heavenless adjective
• underheaven noun

Etymology

Origin of heaven

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

Explanation

Heaven is a place that seems absolutely perfect in every way. You can think of it as the lofty heavens up above, or as a place of everlasting bliss. The places you think of as heaven could also be called "paradise" or "Eden." All of these words are based on a religious idea of heaven as a perfect, blissful existence that's granted to good people after they die. This spiritual heaven is generally depicted as the place where God lives, and is commonly described as being high in the sky. In fact, the original meaning of the Old English heaven, heofon, was "sky."

Example Sentences

Evolutionary theory is no longer heretical, Galileo has been issued a hall pass to heaven, and quite a few sincere if entirely inadequate apologies have been issued, mostly to people long dead.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

"I am certain that he's waiting for me in heaven."

From Barron's • Apr. 5, 2026

Displays of it, particularly in architecture or public art, are often perceived as tacky, kitschy or, heaven forbid, nouveau riche.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

Mary, her right arm extended toward Christ in a gesture of farewell or a reference to heaven above, forms part of a diagonal cutting across the painting that adds more dynamism to the drama.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

Of course, Peach had wailed to high heaven when I’d slammed the back door.

From Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles

Related Words

• Promised Land
• immortality
• nirvana
• paradise