heaven

noun

heav·​en ˈhe-vən 

1

: the expanse of space that seems to be over the earth like a dome : firmament

—usually used in plural

the brightest star in the heavens

2

a

often capitalized : the dwelling place of the Deity and the blessed dead

hopes to go to Heaven when she dies

b

: a spiritual state of everlasting communion with God

3

capitalized : god sense 1

Heaven help us.

4

: a place or condition of utmost happiness : something that is very pleasant or enjoyable

Our week at the spa was sheer heaven.

5

Christian Science : a state of thought in which sin is absent and the harmony of divine Mind (see mind entry 1 sense 8) is manifest

Synonyms

• above
• bliss
• elysian fields
• Elysium
• empyrean
• kingdom come
• New Jerusalem
• paradise
• sky
• Zion
• Sion

Examples of heaven in a Sentence

She prayed to God in Heaven.

He hopes to go to Heaven when he dies.

Our baby is a gift from heaven.

the brightest star in the heavens

Recent Examples on the Web

On a day when America looked up at the heavens, late night TV kept our eyes glued to the screens for an all-heart performance. —Lars Brandle, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2024

Celebrate the birthday of emperor, believed to be ruler of all heavens and Earth. —Kurt Snibbe, Orange County Register, 8 Feb. 2024

This was geek heaven for Asher, who got to speak with specialists in planetary defense (news flash: no known asteroids are on track to hit Earth) and space resources (evidently ice on the moon’s polar caps is stirring up a lot of interest). —Leslie Camhi, Travel + Leisure, 30 Mar. 2024

The announcement came as a relief to American astronomers, who have been fretting about losing ground to their European colleagues in the quest to examine the heavens with bigger and better telescopes. —Dennis Overbye, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2024

When is the next full moon of 2024? Skywatchers in April can watch the Full Pink Moon shine in the heavens Tuesday, April 23, 2024. —The Indianapolis Star, 6 Mar. 2024

Let the simulated Martin rage in his artificial heaven; the science was unequivocal. —Karl Schroeder, IEEE Spectrum, 24 Feb. 2024

But for crew members traveling to Mars, watching as the Earth shrinks to an insignificant dot in the heavens could result in a profound sense of isolation and homesickness. —Nick Kanas, The Conversation, 21 Feb. 2024

Helium was the first—and to date only—element that was discovered in the heavens before it was found on Earth. —Paul M. Sutter, Scientific American, 15 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English heven, from Old English heofon; akin to Old High German himil heaven

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing heaven

• (a) heaven on earth
• a match made in heaven
• a marriage made in heaven
• for heaven's sake
• heaven knows
• God/Lord/heaven help (someone)
• God/heaven forbid
• heaven's above
• in heaven's name
• in seventh heaven
• heaven-sent
• move heaven and earth
• made in heaven
• like heaven
• thank God/goodness/heaven(s)/the Lord
• to high heaven
• seventh heaven
• hog heaven
• tree of heaven
• stinks to high heaven

Kids Definition

heaven

noun

heav·​en ˈhev-ən 

1

: sky sense 1

—usually used in plural

2

often capitalized : the dwelling place of God and of the blessed dead

3

: a place or condition of complete happiness