Shelter — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈshel-tər/ shel·ter

Meaning & Definition of Shelter

Shelter (noun)

  1. something that covers or affords protection
  2. an establishment providing food, protection, and temporary housing for people who need assistance
  3. an establishment that houses and feeds stray or unwanted animals

Shelter (verb)

  1. to constitute or provide a shelter for, protect
  2. to place under shelter or protection
  3. to protect (income) from taxation

Shelter (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something (as a building) that offers cover from the weather or protection from danger

    "the sudden fierce storm forced us to run to the nearest shelter"

    similar: asylum, bolt-hole (chiefly British), harbor, harborage, haven, refuge, retreat, sanctuary, sanctum
    related: oasis, anchorage, mooring, port, cover, screen, abode, diggings, domicile, dwelling, habitation, house, housing, lodging, lodgment, pad, place, quarters, residence, rest, roof, cloister, closet, covert, den, hermitage, hideaway, hideout, lair, castle, fastness, fort, fortress, palisade, redoubt, stronghold, lean-to, lee, shed, windbreak

Shelter (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to be or provide a shelter for

    "the abandoned barn shelters a colony of stray cats"

    similar: harbor, refuge
    related: cover, defend, protect, safeguard, screen, secure, shield, ward, domicile, house, place, quarter, shade, shadow
    near: expose

  2. to provide with living quarters or shelter

    "sheltered the troops in tents until permanent barracks could be built"

    similar: accommodate, bestow, billet, bivouac, board, bunk, camp, chamber, domicile, encamp, harbor, house, lodge, put up, quarter, roof, room, take in
    related: ensconce, home, roost, secure, shed, stable, tent, barrack, bed (down)
    near: eject, evict

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Shelter

The most common words with a similar meaning to Shelter:

Chiefly British: bolt-hole
asylum, harbor, harborage, haven, refuge, retreat, sanctuary, sanctum, accommodate, bestow, billet, bivouac, board, bunk, camp, chamber, domicile, encamp, house, lodge, put up, quarter, roof, room, take in

Related Words for Shelter

oasis, anchorage, mooring, port, cover, screen, abode, diggings, dwelling, habitation, housing, lodging, lodgment, pad, place, quarters, residence, rest, cloister, closet, covert, den, hermitage, hideaway, hideout, lair, castle, fastness, fort, fortress

Near Antonyms of Shelter

expose, eject, evict

Word Forms of Shelter

Inflections: shelters, sheltered, sheltering

Derived words: shelterless (adjective), shelterer (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Shelter

origin unknown

First known use: 1585

Words & Phrases Containing Shelter

shelter half, shelter in place, shelter-in-place, shelter tent, fallout shelter, tax shelter, find/take shelter

Frequently Asked Questions about Shelter

What does "Shelter" mean?

"Shelter" means something that covers or affords protection. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: something that covers or affords protection. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Shelter"?

Other words for "Shelter" include asylum, bolt-hole, harbor, harborage, haven, refuge, retreat and sanctuary. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Shelter" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Shelter"?

There are 78 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Shelter". Common alternatives include asylum, bolt-hole, harbor, harborage, haven, refuge, retreat, sanctuary, sanctum and accommodate.

How do you use "Shelter" in a sentence?

Examples of "Shelter" in a sentence: "the sudden fierce storm forced us to run to the nearest shelter"; "the abandoned barn shelters a colony of stray cats"; "sheltered the troops in tents until permanent barracks could be built".

Is "Shelter" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Shelter" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Shelter"?

"Shelter" is pronounced /ˈshel-tər/ and divided into syllables as shel·ter.

What is the origin of the word "Shelter"?

"Shelter" comes from origin unknown. First known use: 1585.

What is another word for "Shelter" meaning "something (as a building) that offers cover from the weather or protection from danger"?

When "Shelter" (noun) means something (as a building) that offers cover from the weather or protection from danger, synonyms include asylum, bolt-hole, harbor, harborage, haven and refuge.