heaven

American  

[hev-uhn] / ˈhɛv ən /

noun

1. the abode of God, the angels, and the spirits of the righteous after death; the place or state of existence of the blessed after the mortal life.

2. (initial capital letter) Often Heavens the celestial powers; God.

3. a metonym for God.

   May heaven help us!

4. (used with a singular verb) heavens, a wooden roof or canopy over the outer stage of an Elizabethan theater.

5. Usually heavens. the sky, firmament, or expanse of space surrounding the earth.

6. a place or state of supreme happiness.

   She made his life a heaven on earth.

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interjection

1. heavens, (used to express emphasis, surprise, etc.).

   For heaven's sake!

   Good heavens!

idioms

1. move heaven and earth, to do one's utmost to effect an end; make a supreme effort.

   She promised to move heaven and earth to be there for our wedding anniversary.

heaven British  

/ ˈhɛvən /

noun

1. (sometimes capital) Christianity

   1. the abode of God and the angels

   2. a place or state of communion with God after death Compare hell

2. (usually plural) the sky, firmament or space surrounding the earth

3. (in any of various mythologies) a place, such as Elysium or Valhalla, to which those who have died in the gods' favour are brought to dwell in happiness

4. a place or state of joy and happiness

5. God or the gods, used in exclamatory phrases of surprise, exasperation, etc

   for heaven's sake

   heavens above

6. ecstatically happy

7. to do everything possible (to achieve something)

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heaven Cultural  

1. The dwelling place of God, the angels, and the souls of those who have gained salvation (see also salvation); a place of the greatest peace and beauty. (Compare hell.)

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heaven More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing heaven

• for one's (heaven's) sake
• god (heaven) forbid
• god (heaven) knows
• in seventh heaven
• in the name of (heaven)
• manna from heaven
• move heaven and earth
• pennies from heaven
• seventh heaven
• stink to high heaven
• thank god (heaven)

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Other Word Forms

• heavenless adjective
• underheaven noun

Etymology

Origin of heaven

First recorded before 900; Middle English heven, Old English heofon; cognate with Middle Low German heven; akin to Old Norse himinn, Gothic himins, German Himmel

Example Sentences

It’s a match made in heaven for highly rated issuers.

From The Wall Street Journal

The caverns walls soared to the heavens, flashing in the rising sun like white fire.

From Literature

You are sure you are in snake heaven.

From Literature

There was just five points between the teams in Rome last year and it could be another close contest at the Aviva Stadium, especially if the heavens open again.

From BBC

Yet the film delights in the all-too-human inability to articulate a firm vision of a place or concept as amorphous as heaven.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• Promised Land
• immortality
• nirvana
• paradise