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

• 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

Smoke curls from sunken irori hearths inside centuries-old farmhouses—as fires crackle and miso simmers in clay pots. —Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025

After a day on the Blue Ridge Parkway, settle into a rocker by the fire pit or gather with other guests around the hearth in the cozy lobby den. —Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2025

Its design is defined by the pale desert palette of its interior, macrame, raffia, wood hearth and wide windows. —Jessica Cherner, Architectural Digest, 13 Aug. 2025

This hinted at their use over open hearths for cooking. —Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 10 Aug. 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