shelter-in-place

adjective

variants or less commonly shelter in place

: instructing or requiring people to remain in their current location until a danger has passed

The governor has issued a shelter-in-place order.

: of or relating to sheltering in place

shelter-in-place drills

see also shelter in place at shelter entry 2

Examples of shelter-in-place in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

In Malibu, closer to Los Angeles, another wildfire broke out Wednesday and prompted a shelter-in-place order that was later lifted. —

Phil Helsel, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024 As a longtime Palo Alto resident, she’s been to the gardens throughout her life, and recalls stopping by for a visit in 2020 just before widespread shelter-in-place orders went into effect with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. —

Isha Trivedi, The Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2024 The incident prompted a temporary shelter-in-place order for the surrounding area. —

Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2024 The release said some residents are under shelter-in-place orders. —

Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for shelter-in-place

Word History

First Known Use

1977, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of shelter-in-place was in 1977

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Shelter-in-place.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shelter-in-place. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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