shelter

noun

1. 1

   Somewhere one can find protection. A place where a person or animal may find protection from the elements (especially rain, storms, or cold) sometimes as a place to sleep (such as a cave).

   The band of explorers found a shelter behind the waterfall, which they rested at for three days.

   rock shelter

2. 2

   Somewhere one can find protection. A bare-bones above-ground structure meant to provide temporary cover from the elements; usually small and with no door to close.

   The detective kept them in view. He made his way casually along the inside of the shelter until he reached an open scuttle close to where the two men were standing talking. Eavesdropping was not a thing Larard would have practised from choice, but there were times when, in the public interest, he had to do it, and this was one of them.

   bus shelter

   waiting shelter

3. 3

   Somewhere one can find protection. A place for protection from deadly conditions outside, including military assault; usually partly or fully underground.

   tornado shelter

   fallout shelter

   air-raid shelter

4. 4

   Somewhere one can find protection. A refuge, sanctuary, or (by metonymy) institution that provides temporary housing or a place to sleep for those in need or in danger.

   (in compounds)

   women's shelter

   homeless shelter

5. 5

   Somewhere one can find protection. A refuge, sanctuary, or (by metonymy) institution that provides temporary housing or a place to sleep for those in need or in danger. An animal shelter.

   I wish more people would look for pets at the shelter before turning to breeders!

   kill shelter

6. 6

   That which provides protection or cover.

   Along with air, water, and food, shelter is often recognized as a human necessity.

7. 7

   The state of being protected or shielded.

verb

1. 1

   To provide cover from damage or harassment; to shield; to protect.

   Those ruins sheltered once his sacred head.

   You have no convents […] in which such persons may be received and sheltered.

2. 2

   To take cover.

   During the rainstorm, we sheltered under a tree.

Forms

plural

shelters

past tense

sheltered

past participle

sheltered

present participle

sheltering

third person singular

shelters