heaven

[ hev-uhn ]

/ ˈhɛv ən /

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noun

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.

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

a metonym for God: May heaven help us!

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

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

a place or state of supreme happiness: She made his life a heaven on earth.

interjection

heavens, (used to express emphasis, surprise, etc.): For heaven's sake!Good heavens!

QUIZ

SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?

Should you take this quiz on “shall” versus “should”? It should prove to be a quick challenge!

Question 1 of 6

Which form is commonly used with other verbs to express intention?

shall

should

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about heaven

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.

Origin of heaven

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

OTHER WORDS FROM heaven

heav·en·less, adjectiveun·der·heav·en, noun

Words nearby heaven

heave, heave down, heave-ho, heave-ho, give the, heave into sight, heaven, heaven-born, heaven knows, heavenly, heavenly days, heaven-sent

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use heaven in a sentence

For the remaining usually visible planets in our heavens, February will be a little tough.
Skywatch: What’s happening in the heavens in February|Blaine P. Friedlander Jr.|January 30, 2021|Washington Post
This is a meditative show for people who can’t stomach meditation apps—and thank heavens for that.
The 5 Best New Shows Our TV Critic Watched in January 2021|Judy Berman|January 29, 2021|Time
He says he is an engineering student at the University of Alberta, in Canada—“not much of a party person,” by his own admission, and happier playing Minecraft or scouring the heavens with his telescope.
A Reddit user on what it’s like to be part of “the mother of all short squeezes”|Samanth Subramanian|January 28, 2021|Quartz
Instead, hold on to the patience you foster while putting one foot in front of the other for six months, since you might need it as you recover from putting your body and brain through both heaven and hell at once.
Did Thru-Hiking the Appalachian Trail Ruin My Body?|Grayson Haver Currin|January 25, 2021|Outside Online

Our next-door planetary neighbor Mars is high in the southern heavens as evening falls in the new year.
Skywatch: What’s happening in the heavens in January|Blaine P. Friedlander Jr.|December 26, 2020|Washington Post
“I´m now writing to you from goat heaven,” he lamented on the blog he maintains.
Sweden’s Burning Christmas Goat|Nina Strochlic|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In its opening weekend the movie Heaven Is For Real (budget: $12 million) doubled its gross.
The Biggest Bombs of 2014: ‘Sex Tape,’ Mariah Carey’s Vocals, ‘How I Met Your Mother’ and More|Kevin Fallon|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Hatuey asked the religious man holding the flame if indeed any Christians were in heaven.
The Life and Hard Times Of The Family A Cuban Defector Left Behind|Brin-Jonathan Butler|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But assuming things were ever that hopeful, heaven was short-lived, and trouble followed.
The Sydney Astrologer Turned Islamic Radical|Jacob Siegel|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After all, according to lyrics he once wrote, “all good cretins go to heaven.”
‘All Good Cretins Go to Heaven’: Dee Dee Ramone’s Twisted Punk Paintings|Melissa Leon|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Decide about it, ye that are learned in the ethnographic distinctions of our race—but heaven defend us from the Bourbonnaises!
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 60, No. 372, October 1846|Various
And if an earthly father would act thus wisely and thus kindly, "how much more your Father which is in Heaven?"
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford
The expression of his features was calm and composed, and his eyes were raised to heaven with a look of hope and supplication.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
A burning crimson flushed over the cheek of Wharton, as Louis uttered this ardent appeal to friendship and to Heaven.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
In the state Louis was in, between man's perfidy and woman's wiles, any refuge from the world, seemed a heaven to him.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter

British Dictionary definitions for heaven

heaven

/ (ˈhɛvən) /

noun

(sometimes capital) Christianity

the abode of God and the angels
a place or state of communion with God after deathCompare hell

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

(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

a place or state of joy and happiness

(singular or plural; sometimes capital) God or the gods, used in exclamatory phrases of surprise, exasperation, etcfor heaven's sake; heavens above

in seventh heaven ecstatically happy

move heaven and earth to do everything possible (to achieve something)

Word Origin for heaven

Old English heofon; related to Old Saxon heban

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for heaven

heaven

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.)

Other Idioms and Phrases with heaven

heaven

In addition to the idioms beginning with heaven

heaven knows
heavenly days

also see:

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)

heaven

Idioms about heaven

Origin of heaven

OTHER WORDS FROM heaven

Words nearby heaven

Words related to heaven

How to use heaven in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for heaven

Word Origin for heaven

Cultural definitions for heaven

Other Idioms and Phrases with heaven