hearth

noun

ˈhärth How to pronounce hearth (audio)
Synonyms of hearthnext
1
a
: a brick, stone, or concrete area in front of a fireplace
b
: the floor of a fireplace
also : fireplace
c
: the lowest section of a furnace
especially : the section of a furnace on which the ore or metal is exposed to the flame or heat
2
: home
longed for the comforts of hearth and home
3
: a vital or creative center
… the central hearth of Occidental civilization.—A. L. Kroeber

Synonyms of hearth

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Examples of hearth in a Sentence

They swept the ashes from the hearth. all were welcome, friends and strangers alike, to their humble hearth
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.
That attention to authenticity continues at the fireplace, where a traditional 1920s sunburst brick pattern remains intact under a new marble surround and quartzite slab hearth. — David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026 The culinary program centers on the restaurant’s wood-burning hearth, which Asbaty and team wield for hyper-seasonal dishes that reflect both modern and timeless technique. — Nicole Schnitzler, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026 Once a fixture of the American experience, the custom of collectively huddling around the cathode-ray hearth has largely been supplanted by the isolationist practices of the smartphone era. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 19 Aug. 2026 Their destination was the ancestral hearth, spiritual fountainhead, and reliquary of antiquities, the country home of the Wariboko war-canoe family. — Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hearth

Word History

Etymology

Middle English herth, from Old English heorth; akin to Old High German herd hearth, and probably to Sanskrit kūḍayāti he scorches

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of hearth was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing hearth

Rhymes for hearth

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Browse Nearby Words

heart goes out to
hearth
hearth and home
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Cite this Entry

“Hearth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hearth. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

hearth

noun
ˈhärth How to pronounce hearth (audio)
1
a
: the area in front of a fireplace
b
: the floor of a fireplace
c
: the lowest section of a blast furnace
2
: home entry 1 sense 1a
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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