heaven

noun

heav·​en ˈhe-vən 

1

: the expanse of space that seems to be over the earth like a dome : firmament

—usually used in plural

the brightest star in the heavens

2

a

often capitalized : the dwelling place of the Deity and the blessed dead

hopes to go to Heaven when she dies

b

: a spiritual state of everlasting communion with God

3

capitalized : god sense 1

Heaven help us.

4

: a place or condition of utmost happiness : something that is very pleasant or enjoyable

Our week at the spa was sheer heaven.

5

Christian Science : a state of thought in which sin is absent and the harmony of divine Mind (see mind entry 1 sense 8) is manifest

Synonyms

• above
• bliss
• elysian fields
• Elysium
• empyrean
• kingdom come
• New Jerusalem
• paradise
• sky
• Zion
• Sion

Examples of heaven in a Sentence

She prayed to God in Heaven.

He hopes to go to Heaven when he dies.

Our baby is a gift from heaven.

the brightest star in the heavens

Recent Examples on the Web

Fernando Valenzuela’s famous windup involved rotating his slender legs and broad, burly chest, eyes gazing to the heavens. —Nicholas Dawidoff, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024

Played by Peter Gallagher in the gregarious, wise, eyebrow-forward mode of Sandy Cohen in The O.C., Peter comes across as a gift from the heavens. —Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2024

Thank the hair heavens above because there are tons of alternatives that won’t cost you four Benjies. —Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 25 Oct. 2024

Here's What Jupiter Retrograde Means for Your Zodiac Sign Aries (March 21 to April 19) Feel the heavens echo your name this week, Aries! —Kyle Thomas, People.com, 13 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English heven, from Old English heofon; akin to Old High German himil heaven

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing heaven

• (a) heaven on earth
• a marriage made in heaven
• a match made in heaven
• for heaven's sake
• God/heaven forbid
• God/Lord/heaven help (someone)
• heaven knows
• heaven's above
• heaven-sent
• hog heaven
• in heaven's name
• in seventh heaven
• like heaven
• made in heaven
• move heaven and earth
• seventh heaven
• stinks to high heaven
• thank God/goodness/heaven(s)/the Lord
• to high heaven
• tree of heaven

Kids Definition

heaven

noun

heav·​en ˈhev-ən 

1

: sky sense 1

—usually used in plural

2

often capitalized : the dwelling place of God and of the blessed dead

3

: a place or condition of complete happiness