/ ˈʃeltə(r); NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
[ U ] the fact of having a place to live or stay, considered as a basic human need :
Human beings need food, clothing and shelter.
2.
[ U ] shelter (from sth) protection from rain, danger or attack :
to take shelter from the storm
The fox was running for the shelter of the trees.
People were desperately seeking shelter from the gunfire.
3.
[ C ] (often in compounds) a structure built to give protection, especially from the weather or from attack :
They built a rough shelter from old pieces of wood.
an air-raid shelter
—see also bus shelter
4.
[ C ] a building, usually owned by a charity, that provides a place to stay for people without a home, or protection for people or animals who have been badly treated :
a night shelter for the homeless
an animal shelter
—see also hostel
■ verb
1.
[ vn ] shelter sb/sth (from sb/sth) to give sb/sth a place where they are protected from the weather or from danger; to protect sb/sth :
Trees shelter the house from the wind.
helping the poor and sheltering the homeless
Perhaps I sheltered my daughter too much (= protected her too much from unpleasant or difficult experiences) .
2.
[ v ] shelter (from sth) to stay in a place that protects you from the weather or from danger :
We sheltered from the rain in a doorway.
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WORD ORIGIN
late 16th cent.: perhaps an alteration of sheld , an old spelling of shield , + -ure .