- (sometimes capital)
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)
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
heav•en /ˈhɛvən/USA pronunciation
n.
heav•en•ward /ˈhɛvənwɚd/USA pronunciation adv., adj.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025- Religion the place where God, the angels, and the spirits of good people live after death:[uncountable]children taught they must be good if they want to go to heaven some day.
- Usually, heavens. [plural] the sky:Ancient astronomers studied the heavens.
- a place or state of supreme happiness:[uncountable]This tropical island is heaven.
- Often, heavens. This word is used in phrases to express emphasis, surprise, or other emotion:For heaven's sake, watch what you're doing!
heav•en•ward /ˈhɛvənwɚd/USA pronunciation adv., adj.
heav•en
(hev′ən),USA pronunciation n.
heav′en•less, adj.
- Religionthe 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. - Religion(cap.) Often, Heavens. the celestial powers;
God. - Religiona metonym for God (used in expressions of emphasis, surprise, etc.):For heaven's sake!
- heavens:
- (used interjectionally to express emphasis, surprise, etc.):Heavens, what a cold room!
- Show Business(used with a sing. v.) 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.
- Idioms 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.
- bef. 900; Middle English heven, Old English heofon; cognate with Middle Low German heven; akin to Old Norse himinn, Gothic himins, German Himmel
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
'manna from heaven' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):