heaven

[ hev-uhn ]

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. heavens, (used with a singular verb) 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.

interjection

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

   For heaven's sake!

   Good heavens!

heaven

/ 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. singularorplural; sometimes capital God or the gods, used in exclamatory phrases of surprise, exasperation, etc

   for heaven's sake

   heavens above

6. in seventh heaven
   in seventh heaven ecstatically happy
7. move heaven and earth
   move heaven and earth to do everything possible (to achieve something)

heaven

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 .)

Other Words From

• heaven·less adjective
• under·heaven noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of heaven¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of heaven¹

Old English heofon; related to Old Saxon heban

Idioms and Phrases

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.

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)

Example Sentences

For the remaining usually visible planets in our heavens, February will be a little tough.

From Washington Post

This is a meditative show for people who can’t stomach meditation apps—and thank heavens for that.

From 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.

From 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.

From Outside Online

Our next-door planetary neighbor Mars is high in the southern heavens as evening falls in the new year.

From Washington Post

“I´m now writing to you from goat heaven,” he lamented on the blog he maintains.

From The Daily Beast

In its opening weekend the movie Heaven Is For Real (budget: $12 million) doubled its gross.

From The Daily Beast

Hatuey asked the religious man holding the flame if indeed any Christians were in heaven.

From The Daily Beast

But assuming things were ever that hopeful, heaven was short-lived, and trouble followed.

From The Daily Beast

After all, according to lyrics he once wrote, “all good cretins go to heaven.”

From The Daily Beast

Decide about it, ye that are learned in the ethnographic distinctions of our race—but heaven defend us from the Bourbonnaises!

From Project Gutenberg

And if an earthly father would act thus wisely and thus kindly, "how much more your Father which is in Heaven?"

From Project Gutenberg

The expression of his features was calm and composed, and his eyes were raised to heaven with a look of hope and supplication.

From Project Gutenberg

A burning crimson flushed over the cheek of Wharton, as Louis uttered this ardent appeal to friendship and to Heaven.

From Project Gutenberg

In the state Louis was in, between man's perfidy and woman's wiles, any refuge from the world, seemed a heaven to him.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• immortality
• nirvana
• paradise
• Promised Land