(~s, ~ing, ~ed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
A ~ is a small building or covered place which is made to protect people from bad weather or danger.
The city’s bomb ~s were being prepared for possible air raids.
...a bus ~.
N-COUNT
2.
If a place provides ~, it provides you with a place to stay or live, especially when you need protection from bad weather or danger.
The number of families seeking ~ rose by 17 percent...
...the hut where they were given food and ~.
N-UNCOUNT
3.
A ~ is a building where homeless people can sleep and get food.
...a ~ for homeless women.
N-COUNT
4.
If you ~ in a place, you stay there and are protected from bad weather or danger.
...a man ~ing in a doorway...
VERB: V prep/adv
5.
If a place or thing is ~ed by something, it is protected by that thing from wind and rain.
...a wooden house, ~ed by a low pointed roof.
VERB: usu passive, V-ed
6.
If you ~ someone, usually someone who is being hunted by police or other people, you provide them with a place to stay or live.
A neighbor ~ed the boy for seven days.
VERB: V n
7.
see also ~ed