shelter

1 of 2

noun

shel·​ter ˈshel-tər 

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.

shelterless

ˈshel-tər-ləs 

adjective

shelter

2 of 2

verb

sheltered; sheltering ˈshel-t(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: to take shelter

shelterer

ˈshel-tər-ər 

noun

Synonyms of shelter

Noun

• refuge
• sanctuary
• retreat

Verb

• protect
• refuge
• house

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

Noun

The church leaders called on lawmakers to retain existing tax exemptions for charitable organizations such as maternity homes, domestic violence shelters and food banks if Amendment 5 passes. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2026

With Gaza cut off from the outside world, there are very few ways of earning the money necessary to provide food and shelter. — Diaa Ostaz, ABC News, 24 July 2026

Verb

The analysis found that about 2 in 3 homeless residents nationwide are sheltered, compared with just over 1 in 3 in the Bay Area. — Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 23 July 2026

Two separate three-bed guest houses, one with its own pool, offer privacy within privacy, while the commanding 1,300-square-meter (13,993 square feet) six-bed main house spreads the double wings of its terracotta roofs in sheltering fashion. — Donna Hardie-Scott, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun

1585, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1590, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing shelter

• fallout shelter
• find/take shelter
• shelter half
• shelter-in-place
• shelter tent
• tax shelter

Rhymes for shelter

• belter
• melter
• skelter
• smelter
• spelter
• welter

Kids 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