heaven
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.
heavens, (used to express emphasis, surprise, etc.): For heaven's sake!Good heavens!
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
1Other words from heaven
- heav·en·less, adjective
- un·der·heav·en, noun
Words Nearby heaven
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
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 PostThis is a meditative show for people who can’t stomach meditation apps—and thank heavens for that.
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 | QuartzInstead, 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 OnlineOur 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.
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 | THE DAILY BEASTHatuey 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 | THE DAILY BEASTBut assuming things were ever that hopeful, heaven was short-lived, and trouble followed.
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 | THE DAILY BEASTDecide about it, ye that are learned in the ethnographic distinctions of our race—but heaven defend us from the Bourbonnaises!
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 BlatchfordThe expression of his features was calm and composed, and his eyes were raised to heaven with a look of hope and supplication.
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 PorterIn 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
/ (ˈhɛvən) /
(sometimes capital) Christianity
the abode of God and the angels
a place or state of communion with God after death: Compare 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, etc: for heaven's sake; heavens above
in seventh heaven ecstatically happy
move heaven and earth to do everything possible (to achieve something)
Origin of heaven
1Collins 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
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with 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)
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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