hearth

American  

[hahrth] / hɑrθ /

noun

1. the floor of a fireplace, usually of stone, brick, etc., often extending a short distance into a room.

2. home; fireside.

   the joys of family and hearth.

   Synonyms:

   house, abode, household

3. Metallurgy.

   1. the lower part of a blast furnace, cupola, etc., in which the molten metal collects and from which it is tapped out.

   2. the part of an open hearth, reverberatory furnace, etc., upon which the charge is placed and melted down or refined.

4. a brazier or chafing dish for burning charcoal.

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hearth British  

/ hɑːθ /

noun

1. 1. the floor of a fireplace, esp one that extends outwards into the room

   2. ( as modifier )

      hearth rug

2. this part of a fireplace as a symbol of the home, etc

3. the bottom part of a metallurgical furnace in which the molten metal is produced or contained

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Other Word Forms

• hearthless adjective
• multihearth noun

Etymology

Origin of hearth

First recorded before 900; Middle English herth(e), Old English he(o)rth; cognate with German Herd, Dutch haard

Example Sentences

Ribs of wood on the walls, an imposing hearth, velvet drapes and gold domed lights over the luxe booths yield a cocoon of comfort.

From Washington Post

Their three dogs were huddled together around the hearth.

From New York Times

But there was good news: The pheasant dish Ms. de Boer was testing, roasted in the open kitchen’s wood-fired hearth with juniper and vermouth, was outrageously delicious.

From New York Times

Eventually, a host led us through a narrow hallway to our table, situated across from the live-fire hearth where chefs churned out hulking steaks topped with rounded scoops of butter.

From Salon

Visit now, and you might discover wax and green beans blistered in the restaurant’s hearth and tossed with pickled ginger and citrus- and chile-roasted peanuts, a flavor profile that suggests China.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• fireplace