- protected from wind or weather
- protected from outside influences: a sheltered upbringing
- (of buildings) specially designed to provide a safe environment for elderly or disabled people
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
shel•tered
(shel′tərd),USA pronunciation adj.
- protected or shielded from storms, missiles, etc., by a wall, roof, barrier, or the like.
- protected from the troubles, annoyances, sordidness, etc., encountered in competitive situations:a sheltered life.
- Business(of a business or industry) enjoying noncompetitive conditions, as because of a protective tariff.
- of or pertaining to employment or housing, esp. for handicapped persons, in a noncompetitive, supervised environment.
- shelter + -ed2 1585–95
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
sheltered /ˈʃɛltəd/ adj
shel•ter /ˈʃɛltɚ/USA pronunciation n.
v.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- something beneath, behind, or within which one is protected, as from storms, cold, danger, etc.:[countable]an air raid shelter.
- the protection or safety given by such a thing:[uncountable]We found shelter in a nearby barn.
- [countable] a building serving as a temporary place to live, as for the homeless or unwanted animals.
v.
- to provide with a shelter:[~ + object]to shelter the homeless.
- to find a safe place:[no object]to shelter somewhere during the snowstorm.
shel•ter
(shel′tər),USA pronunciation n.
v.t.
v.i.
shel′ter•er, n.
shel′ter•ing•ly, adv.
shel′ter•less, adj.
shel′ter•less•ness, n.
- something beneath, behind, or within which a person, animal, or thing is protected from storms, missiles, adverse conditions, etc.;
refuge. - the protection or refuge afforded by such a thing:He took shelter in a nearby barn.
- protection from blame, incrimination, etc.
- a dwelling place or home considered as a refuge from the elements:Everyone's basic needs are food, clothing, and shelter.
- a building serving as a temporary refuge or residence for homeless persons, abandoned animals, etc.
- Banking, Business[Finance.]See tax shelter.
v.t.
- to be a shelter for;
afford shelter to:The old barn sheltered him from the rain. - to provide with a shelter;
place under cover. - to protect, as by shelter;
take under one's protection:Parents should not try to shelter their children from normal childhood disappointments. - Banking, Business[Finance.]to invest (money) in a tax shelter.
v.i.
- to take shelter;
find a refuge:He sheltered in a barn. - Banking, Business[Finance.]to invest money in a tax shelter.
- 1575–85; perh. alteration of obsolete sheltron testudo, Old English scieldtruma, equivalent. to scield shield + truma body of fighting men; see trim
shel′ter•ing•ly, adv.
shel′ter•less, adj.
shel′ter•less•ness, n.
- 1. retreat, asylum, sanctuary, shield, haven, harbor. See cover. 7. harbor, house. 9. guard, safeguard, shield, defend.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
shelter /ˈʃɛltə/ n
- something that provides cover or protection, as from weather or danger; place of refuge
- the protection afforded by such a cover; refuge
- the state of being sheltered
- (transitive) to provide with or protect by a shelter
- (intransitive) to take cover, as from rain; find refuge
- (transitive) to act as a shelter for; take under one's protection
'sheltered' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
basin
- canopy
- cove
- harbour
- haven
- lee
- nestle
- nook
- road
- secluded
- sentry box
- shelter
- snug
- suntrap
- bay ice
- camp
- cloistered
- covert
- cozy
- dinghy
- jolly boat
- vestibule
- well-sheltered
- secret
- self-sheltered
- shade
- sheltered workshop
- spaceport