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

Her work plainly belongs to this lineage of witchy writers, women whose deliciously corrupted scenes of home and hearth produce fear and wild laughter at once. —Kristen Roupenian, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026

Individual cottages with modern interiors are set up in mini neighborhoods and have fireplaces with polished concrete hearths, heated floors, and floor-to-ceiling glass bifold doors leading to landscaped gardens. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Apr. 2026

Her cooking hearth at the camp — three stones and ash — was cold, with no sign of a recent fire. —ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026

The carrots are slow-roasted for eight hours over the hearth before they’re made into the mixture. —Jenna Thompson march 27, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 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