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⇱ shelter - WordReference.com Dictionary of English

shelter

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UK:**UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈʃɛltər/US:USA pronunciation: IPA and respellingUSA pronunciation: IPA/ˈʃɛltɚ/ ,USA pronunciation: respelling(shel′tər)


WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
shel•ter /ˈʃɛltɚ/USA pronunciation  n. 
  1. something beneath, behind, or within which one is protected, as from storms, cold, danger, etc.:[countable]an air raid shelter.
  2. the protection or safety given by such a thing:[uncountable]We found shelter in a nearby barn.
  3. [countable] a building serving as a temporary place to live, as for the homeless or unwanted animals.

v. 
  1. to provide with a shelter:[~ + object]to shelter the homeless.
  2. to find a safe place:[no object]to shelter somewhere during the snowstorm.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
shel•ter  (shel′tər),USA pronunciation n. 
  1. something beneath, behind, or within which a person, animal, or thing is protected from storms, missiles, adverse conditions, etc.;
    refuge.
  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 homeless persons, abandoned animals, etc.
  6. Banking, Business[Finance.]See tax shelter. 

v.t. 
  1. to be a shelter for;
    afford shelter to:The old barn sheltered him from the rain.
  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.
  4. Banking, Business[Finance.]to invest (money) in a tax shelter.

v.i. 
  1. to take shelter;
    find a refuge:He sheltered in a barn.
  2. Banking, Business[Finance.]to invest money in a tax shelter.
  • 1575–85; perh. alteration of obsolete sheltron testudo, Old English scieldtruma, equivalent. to scield shield + truma body of fighting men; see trim
shel′ter•er, n. 
shel′ter•ing•ly, adv. 
shel′ter•less, adj. 
shel′ter•less•ness, n. 
    1. retreat, asylum, sanctuary, shield, haven, harbor. See cover. 7. harbor, house. 9. guard, safeguard, shield, defend.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
shelter /ˈʃɛltə/ n
  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
 vb
  1. (transitive) to provide with or protect by a shelter
  2. (intransitive) to take cover, as from rain; find refuge
  3. (transitive) to act as a shelter for; take under one's protection
Etymology: 16th Century: of uncertain originˈshelterer n
'shelter' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
Collocations: a [housing, dog, homeless, nuclear, tax] shelter, shelter [in a cave, under a tree], a [temporary, permanent, makeshift] shelter, more...

🗣️Forum discussions with the word(s) "shelter" in the title:

A bedroom, kitchen and bath were adequate shelter for his...
a shelter 'for the homeless to stay overnight'
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accommodation/boarding/shelter/bed
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directed those choosing to stay in Kherson Oblast to seek shelter
drive the German fleet off the sea and into shelter
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one word for shelter and food
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roadside shelter or highway railing
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Shelter From The Rain
shelter is up
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Shelter or foot of a sand dune
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more...

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