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
A. L. KroeberExamples 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
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
From there, a spacious living room anchored by a massive fireplace with a floating hearth has two sets of French doors spilling out to the backyard, while an adjacent dining area connects to a kitchen outfitted with wood cabinetry, an expansive eat-in island, and top-notch stainless appliances.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 19 Nov. 2025
The first-floor living area has a wood-burning fireplace with a brick hearth and mantle.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hearth
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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
From there, a spacious living room anchored by a massive fireplace with a floating hearth has two sets of French doors spilling out to the backyard, while an adjacent dining area connects to a kitchen outfitted with wood cabinetry, an expansive eat-in island, and top-notch stainless appliances.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 19 Nov. 2025
The first-floor living area has a wood-burning fireplace with a brick hearth and mantle.
—Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hearth
Cite this Entry
“Hearth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hearth. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hearth
noun1
a
: the area in front of a fireplace
b
: the floor of a fireplace
c
: the lowest section of a blast furnace
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