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
Phrases
shelter in place
: to remain inside in one's current location until a danger has passed : to temporarily take shelter in a protected space
The … campus was placed under lockdown in response to the shooting. People on campus were advised to shelter in place. No students were hurt or endangered, the school said.—
Julia Jacobo
Julia JacoboThese communities—including our own—need to start hardening themselves against future fires. That means preparing homes for fires the way we already do for earthquakes and floods. It also means developing better alert systems, heeding evacuation warnings when they come and being prepared to shelter in place when escape routes are cut off …—The Press Democrat (Santa Rosa, California)
The Press Democrat (Santa Rosa, California)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
Star-Telegram Weather Bot
updated July 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 July 2025
If finding indoor shelter is not an option: Avoid open fields, hill peaks, or ridge tops.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 9 July 2025
Charlotte Observer, 10 July 2025
Most of the victims were internally displaced people sheltering at a nearby Catholic mission, many of them women and children.
—Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for shelter
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Noun
If the sky becomes menacing and thunder becomes audible, seek out a safe place to seek shelter.
—Star-Telegram Weather Bot
updated July 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 July 2025
If finding indoor shelter is not an option: Avoid open fields, hill peaks, or ridge tops.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 9 July 2025
Verb
If the sky becomes threatening and thunder can be heard, find a safe place to shelter.
—Charlotte Observer, 10 July 2025
Most of the victims were internally displaced people sheltering at a nearby Catholic mission, many of them women and children.
—Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for shelter
Cite this Entry
“Shelter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shelter. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.
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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