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

Not Closing Up The Fireplace Many older homes have an open hearth that allows heat to escape right up the chimney. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 4 Dec. 2025

Wood-burning fireplaces No fireplace design is more timeless than hearths that burn seasoned logs, filling the room with the unmistakable sights, sounds and scents of a classic fire. —Angie Hicks, Boston Herald, 30 Nov. 2025

Nevertheless, some structures remained visible—lower parts of walls, hearths, clay flooring, drains, and other evidence of a prosperous daily life. —Alex Ross, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025

Inside, there are grand double-height rooms, large fireplaces with hearths in nearly every space and multiple gourmet kitchens made for entertaining. —Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Nov. 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