heaven
the 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.
(initial capital letter)Often Heavens . the celestial powers; God.
a metonym for God: May heaven help us!
heavens, (used with a singular verb) 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.
heavens, (used to express emphasis, surprise, etc.): For heaven's sake!Good heavens!
Idioms about heaven
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.
Origin of heaven
1Other words from heaven
- heav·en·less, adjective
- un·der·heav·en, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for heaven
/ (ˈhɛvən) /
(sometimes capital) Christianity
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)
Origin of heaven
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Cultural definitions for heaven
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with heaven
In addition to the idioms beginning with heaven
- heaven knows
- heavenly days
also see:
- for one's (heaven's) sake
- god (heaven) forbid
- god (heaven) knows
- in seventh heaven
- in the name of (heaven)
- manna from heaven
- move heaven and earth
- pennies from heaven
- seventh heaven
- stink to high heaven
- thank god (heaven)
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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