1. the floor of a fireplace, usually made of brick or stone
2. the area in front of a fireplace
3. home and family life; the household
Usage: figurative

Examples

• The cat curled up on the warm hearth after the fire died down.
• She swept the ashes from the hearth before lighting a new fire.
• The family gathered around the hearth on cold winter evenings.
• The stone hearth was blackened from years of use.
• He longed for the comfort of hearth and home.
• The hearth was decorated with holiday stockings.
• Nothing beats the warmth of your own hearth after a long journey.