Definition of shelter
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: something that covers or affords protection
a bomb shelter
b
: an establishment providing food and shelter (as to the homeless)
c
: an establishment that houses and feeds stray or unwanted animals
2
: a position or the state of being covered and protected
took shelter
shelter
verbDefinition of shelter (Entry 2 of 2)
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
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 These 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)
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for shelter
The first known use of shelter was in 1585
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