a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
"The abandoned barn served as a shelter, offering both privacy and protection from the hostile intruders outside."
protective covering that provides protection from the weather
"The old bus stop serves as a simple shelter, offering relief from the heavy rain and scorching sun."
the condition of being protected
"they were huddled together for protection"
"he enjoyed a sense of peace and protection in his new home"
a way of organizing business to reduce the taxes it must pay on current earnings
"The multinational corporation restructured its headquarters in Ireland to shelter profits from high corporate tax rates."
temporary housing for homeless or displaced persons
"The city opened several emergency shelters to provide immediate safety and basic needs for families who lost their homes in the flood."
A refuge, haven or other cover or protection from something.
"The old barn provided a warm shelter from the harsh winter storm."
In plain English: A shelter is a place that protects you from bad weather, danger, or homelessness.
"The homeless man found shelter under a bridge to stay warm during the storm."
Usage: Use the noun shelter to refer to any physical structure that offers safety from weather or danger, such as a tent during a storm. While often synonymous with "refuge," it specifically emphasizes the protective covering itself rather than just the state of being safe.
provide shelter for
"After the earthquake, the government could not provide shelter for the thousands of homeless people"
invest (money) so that it is not taxable
"They used a tax-advantaged retirement account to shelter their investment earnings from income taxes."
To provide cover from damage or harassment; to shield; to protect.
"The old oak tree sheltered the frightened deer from the harsh winter wind and hungry wolves."
In plain English: To shelter someone means to protect them from bad weather or danger by giving them cover.
"We decided to shelter under the bridge during the heavy rainstorm."
The word shelter comes from the Middle English term sheltron, which originally described a roof or wall made of interlocked shields used by soldiers for protection. This concept traveled into modern usage to mean any covering that provides safety from the elements, evolving from its literal military meaning of a "shield-troop."