Definitions
01a protective place
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. a building or place that protects you from bad weather or danger.
n. a physical structure or location designed to provide protection from environmental hazards or external threats.
日本語:シェルター※
“The hikers found a small stone shelter to stay dry during the storm.”
“The local council converted the old basement into an emergency shelter for residents displaced by the flooding.”
02protection as a concept
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the state of being protected from rain, wind, or danger.
n. the abstract state or condition of being shielded from the elements or from harm.
“They stood under the trees for shelter until the rain stopped.”
“The overhanging cliffs provided natural shelter for the early settlers, protecting them from the harsh coastal winds.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03housing for those in need
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. a place where people or animals with no home can live and be safe.
n. an establishment providing temporary residence for homeless individuals or stray animals.
日本語:シェルター※
“She volunteers at the local animal shelter every Saturday morning.”
“The city opened three additional night shelters to ensure that no one was forced to sleep on the streets during the cold snap.”
04to protect someone
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to protect someone or something from bad weather, danger, or criticism.
v. to provide cover or protection from physical harm, environmental conditions, or negative consequences.
“The parents tried to shelter their children from the news of the accident.”
“The thick stone walls effectively sheltered the interior courtyard from the scorching heat of the desert sun.”
Usage
Often used with the preposition 'from'.
05to take cover
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to go to a safe place to avoid bad weather or danger.
v. to seek or take cover in a protected area.
“We had to shelter in a doorway when the downpour suddenly started.”
“The soldiers were ordered to shelter in the trenches until the artillery fire ceased.”
Usage
Often used as an intransitive verb followed by 'in' or 'under'.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “shelter” in context.
Verb
01. provide shelter for the homeless
“The local charity works hard to provide shelter for the homeless during the winter months.”
verb + noun + prep + adj + noun
02. seek shelter
“The hikers had to seek shelter in a nearby cave when the storm suddenly broke.”
verb + noun
03. take shelter from the rain
“We decided to take shelter from the rain under a large oak tree.”
verb + noun + prep + adj + noun
Adjective
04. emergency shelter
“The school gymnasium was converted into an emergency shelter for flood victims.”
adj + noun
05. temporary shelter
“After the earthquake, thousands of residents were moved into temporary shelter.”
adj + noun
Noun
06. animal shelter
“They adopted a friendly golden retriever from the local animal shelter.”
noun + noun
07. bus shelter
“A group of commuters stood huddled together inside the bus shelter.”
noun + noun
08. tax shelter
“The company was accused of using offshore accounts as a tax shelter.”
noun + noun
Preposition
09. in shelter
“The sheep huddled together in shelter behind the stone wall.”
prep + noun
Real-World Examples
“Hawaii County's Civil Defense Agency said public shelters were available in every county on Big Island.” “I was living in New York, one of millions ordered to shelter in place.” Etymology
From Middle English sheltron, sheldtrume (“roof or wall formed by locked shields”), from Old English sċildtruma, sċyldtruma (“a phalanx, company (of troops), a tortoise, a covering, shed, shelter”, literally “shield-troop”), from sċyld, sċield (“shield”) + truma (“a troop of soldiers”). Cognate with Scots schilthrum, schiltrum. More at shield, and Old English trymman (“to strengthen”), from trum (“strong, firm”) at trim. Doublet of sheltron (a kind of military formation), which is the more conservative of the two.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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