Shelter

'ʃeltər

nounBeginner📊CommonPlace
2 meanings3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

A structure or place providing protection from bad weather, danger, or attack.

'ʃeltər

nounneutralBeginner
Place

A place offering protection from the elements or danger.

The abandoned building offered temporary shelter from the rain.

💡 Simply: Think of a safe place, like a cozy fort you build to hide from rain or monsters. That's shelter! It's somewhere you feel protected and secure.

👶 For kids: A place to be safe and protected, like a house from the rain or a blanket from the cold.

More Examples

2

Many homeless people seek shelter in temporary facilities.

3

The trees provided a natural shelter from the sun.

How It's Used

General

"The refugees sought shelter from the storm."

Wildlife

"The forest provided shelter for various animal species."

2

To protect or shield from something harmful or unpleasant.

'ʃeltər

verbneutralBeginner
Action

To protect or shield something or someone.

The overhanging roof shelters the entrance from the rain.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're holding an umbrella to keep someone dry from the rain. That's sheltering! It's like protecting them from something bad.

👶 For kids: To keep safe, like hiding under a table when there's a storm.

More Examples

2

The thick forest sheltered the animals from the hunters.

3

They decided to shelter the injured bird until it recovered.

How It's Used

General

"The trees shelter the house from the wind."

Social

"The organization shelters victims of domestic abuse."

Tip:Think of a mom sheltering her child from the rain – that's the action of sheltering.

From Middle English *shelter*, *schelter*, from Old English *scieldtrum* ('shield, protection'), related to *scield* ('shield').

The word 'shelter' has been used since the Old English period, originally meaning a covering or protection.

Memory tip

Imagine a cozy house protecting you from a storm – that's shelter!

Word Origin

LanguageOld English
Original meaning

"shield, protection"

seek shelterprovide sheltertemporary shelteremergency shelternatural shelter

Common misspellings

scheltershelterrshelterd

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written