shelter in place

American  

[shel-ter in plays] / ˈʃɛl tər ɪn ˈpleɪs /

Or shelter-in-place

noun

1. an official order, issued during an emergency, that directs people to stay in the indoor place or building that they already occupy and not to leave unless absolutely necessary.

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verb (used without object)

1. to stay in a safe indoor place or building during an emergency.

   If police believe there is an active shooter on campus, they will order students and faculty to shelter in place.

Etymology

Origin of shelter in place

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

shelter in place

A brief shelter in place order was given because of the mysterious incursions, but no attacks were carried out.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026

Early on, residents of the area surrounding the warehouse in Boyle Heights, a diverse neighborhood in east Los Angeles, were warned to shelter in place, close windows and avoid breathing the air.

From Barron's ● Jun. 21, 2026

Residents in a larger area were told to shelter in place, but that order was lifted later Wednesday night.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 19, 2026

The US embassy in Mali said it was continuing to "closely monitor" the situation, and told citizens to "shelter in place, remain alert... and avoid areas where security operations may be under way".

From BBC ● Apr. 29, 2026

The US embassy in Mali issued a security alert on its website urging US citizens in and around the capital to "shelter in place".

From Barron's ● Apr. 25, 2026