What does "shelter" mean?

1. (a protective place) a building or place that protects you from bad weather or danger. 2. (protection as a concept) the state of being protected from rain, wind, or danger. 3. (housing for those in need) a place where people or animals with no home can live and be safe. 4. (to protect someone) to protect someone or something from bad weather, danger, or criticism. 5. (to take cover) to go to a safe place to avoid bad weather or danger.

How do you use "shelter"?

Often used with the preposition 'from'. Often used as an intransitive verb followed by 'in' or 'under'.

shelter

n. · v.

US //ˈʃɛɫtɝ// UK //ʃˈɛltɐ// shel·ter

1 a protective place (n.)
B1 Intermediate

a building or place that protects you from bad weather or danger.

a physical structure or location designed to provide protection from environmental hazards or external threats.

Example

The hikers found a small stone shelter to stay dry during the storm.

Example

The local council converted the old basement into an emergency shelter for residents displaced by the flooding.
2 protection as a concept (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

the state of being protected from rain, wind, or danger.

the abstract state or condition of being shielded from the elements or from harm.

Example

They stood under the trees for shelter until the rain stopped.

Example

The overhanging cliffs provided natural shelter for the early settlers, protecting them from the harsh coastal winds.
- exposure

Show 3 more sensesShow fewer

3 housing for those in need (n.)
B1 Intermediate

a place where people or animals with no home can live and be safe.

an establishment providing temporary residence for homeless individuals or stray animals.

Example

She volunteers at the local animal shelter every Saturday morning.

Example

The city opened three additional night shelters to ensure that no one was forced to sleep on the streets during the cold snap.
- hostel
- asylum
4 to protect someone (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to protect someone or something from bad weather, danger, or criticism.

to provide cover or protection from physical harm, environmental conditions, or negative consequences.

Example

The parents tried to shelter their children from the news of the accident.

Example

The thick stone walls effectively sheltered the interior courtyard from the scorching heat of the desert sun.

Usage

Often used with the preposition 'from'.
- expose
- endanger
5 to take cover (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to go to a safe place to avoid bad weather or danger.

to seek or take cover in a protected area.

Example

We had to shelter in a doorway when the downpour suddenly started.

Example

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'.
- hide
- take cover

Origin

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.