a building or place that provides temporary housing and protection for people or animals who have nowhere else to stay
After the hurricane, dozens of families stayed in a shelter set up in the high school gym.
The stray dog was taken to an animal shelter where veterinarians checked his health.
✦ From Middle English schelter, probably related to Old Norse skjól “protection, cover.”
to protect or give refuge to someone or something, or to take cover oneself
Locals opened their homes and sheltered tourists when the airport closed.
During the thunderstorm, we sheltered under a stone arch.
