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

• abode
• diggings
• domicile
• dwelling
• fireside
• habitation
• hearthstone
• home
• house
• lodging
• pad
• place
• quarters
• residence
• roof

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

What these shows all shared was a sense of the hearth as the staging ground for mild pranks and cute, low-stakes antics. —Daniel D'addario, Variety, 1 June 2025

Scientists theorize that these pieces may have been brought inland to use in hearths or to collect oil by dripping or crushing. —Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 28 May 2025

Saville learned how the position of a canvas between a window and a hearth had informed Rembrandt’s depiction of light, with the coldness of the daylight contrasting with the incandescent warmth of the fire. —Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 9 June 2025

And a drink near a stone hearth is the perfect reward for the day’s exertion. —Danielle Hallock, AFAR Media, 5 June 2025

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