hearth

noun

ˈhärth 

1

a

: a brick, stone, or concrete area in front of a fireplace

b

: the floor of a fireplace

also : fireplace

c

: the lowest section of a furnace

especially : the section of a furnace on which the ore or metal is exposed to the flame or heat

2

: home

longed for the comforts of hearth and home

3

: a vital or creative center

… the central hearth of Occidental civilization.

—A. L. Kroeber

Synonyms of hearth

• residence
• dwelling
• abode
• house
• roof
• home
• lodging
• place
• housing

Examples of hearth in a Sentence

They swept the ashes from the hearth.

all were welcome, friends and strangers alike, to their humble hearth

Recent Examples on the Web

Food 250 years ago was cooked in hearths. — Ava Berger, NPR, 28 June 2026

Most of the hearths are between 4,000 and 5,500 years old. — ArsTechnica, 1 June 2026

If hearths had been built in the cave, underlying bones would have shown evidence of charring — but not a single bone out of the 4,500 studied was burned. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 3 July 2026

In suites, a sliding hearth features built-in lighting and shelves, creating a separation between the living area and bedroom for guest privacy. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English herth, from Old English heorth; akin to Old High German herd hearth, and probably to Sanskrit kūḍayāti he scorches

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing hearth

• hearth and home
• open-hearth
• open-hearth process

Rhymes for hearth

• garth

Kids Definition

hearth

noun

ˈhärth 

1

a

: the area in front of a fireplace

b

: the floor of a fireplace

c

: the lowest section of a blast furnace

2

: home entry 1 sense 1a