- 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 abandoned animals, people who are homeless, etc.: homeless shelter;animal shelter.
- tax shelter.
- 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.
- to invest (money) in a tax shelter.
- to take shelter; find a refuge: Students sheltered in the gymnasium when they heard the tornado sirens.
- to invest money in a tax shelter.
- 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
- to provide with or protect by a shelter
- to take cover, as from rain; find refuge
- to act as a shelter for; take under one's protection
