# shelter

/ˈʃɛɫtɝ/ (US) · /ʃˈɛltɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/shelter
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. a protective place

noun · CEFR B1

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

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

- 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.

### 2. protection as a concept

noun · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 3. housing for those in need

noun · CEFR B1

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

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

- 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.

### 4. to protect someone

verb · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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'.

### 5. to take cover

verb · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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'.

## Examples

- We used the large tree as a shelter from the rain.
- The hikers built a temporary shelter using branches and a tarp when the storm began.
- The city opened several emergency shelters to provide the homeless population with warmth and safety during the record-breaking cold snap.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.