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

Their impressive dining concept, Yuta, is helmed by Executive Chef Guillermo Tellez and takes farm-to-table cuisine to new heights with a wood-burning hearth and an in-house organic farmer. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 10 Dec. 2025

So far, November was an unseasonably warm month, not cold enough for a fire in the hearth. —CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025

This evidence includes starch grains, phytoliths, residues, cooking damage, coarse grinding and food remains in hearths. —New Atlas, 4 Dec. 2025

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

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