plural shelters
1
a
: something that covers or affords protection
a bomb shelter
We made a shelter from branches.
see also fallout shelter, tax shelter
b
: an establishment providing food, protection, and temporary housing for people who need assistance
a shelter for battered women
shelters for the unhoused
c
: an establishment that houses and feeds stray or unwanted animals
a no-kill shelter
2
: a position or the state of being covered and protected (as from bad weather or danger)
We ran for shelter when the rain started.
The hikers took shelter in an abandoned cabin.
sheltered; sheltering
ˈshel-t(ə-)riŋ 
1
: to constitute or provide a shelter for : protect
has led a sheltered life
2
: to place under shelter or protection
sheltered himself in a mountain cave
3
: to protect (income) from taxation
: to take shelter
Examples of shelter in a Sentence
Noun
We made a shelter from branches.
a shelter for battered women
The organization provides food and shelter for homeless people.
The crowd ran for shelter when the rain started.
They sought shelter from the storm.
Verb
A cave sheltered the climbers during the storm.
They sheltered in a cave while they waited for the storm to pass.
Recent Examples on the Web
Deborah Laverty, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
Their first day included a visit to the Royal Children’s Hospital (which Prince Harry's mom, Princess Diana, also visited in 1985) and a solo engagement for Meghan at a women's shelter.
—Helen Murphy, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026
Along the way, Johnson will be seen sheltering in an under-siege eight-story flat during a missile strike, and will join mobile gun teams and Kyiv’s volunteer air defenders for a freezing night shift protecting the capital from Russian drone attacks.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shelter
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Noun
Volunteer Kathy Smith said the shelter, which was founded 72 years ago, is in desperate need of help.
—Deborah Laverty, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
Their first day included a visit to the Royal Children’s Hospital (which Prince Harry's mom, Princess Diana, also visited in 1985) and a solo engagement for Meghan at a women's shelter.
—Helen Murphy, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
The American Red Cross and its partners were sheltering more than 1,000 residents across Guam and the Northern Marians, agency spokesperson Stephanie Fox said.
—ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026
Along the way, Johnson will be seen sheltering in an under-siege eight-story flat during a missile strike, and will join mobile gun teams and Kyiv’s volunteer air defenders for a freezing night shift protecting the capital from Russian drone attacks.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shelter
Cite this Entry
“Shelter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shelter. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
shelter
1 of 2 noun
shel·ter
ˈshel-tər
1
a
: something that covers or protects
an air raid shelter
a fallout shelter
b
: a place that provides food and lodging (as to the homeless)
c
: a place that houses and feeds stray or unwanted animals
2
: the state of being protected
take shelter from a storm
shelter
2 of 2 verb
sheltered; sheltering
-t(ə-)riŋ
1
: to be a shelter for : provide with shelter
2
: to find and use a shelter
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