• IPA: /ˈhɛvənz/

heavens (plural p)

1. (often with 'the') The distant sky of the sun, moon, and stars.
   • c. 1594 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Comedie of Errors”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC ↗, [Act I, scene i], page 66 ↗, column 2:

     For what obſcured light the heauens did grant, […]

   • 1625, Nathanæl Carpenter, Geography delineated forth in two bookes, I iv 77:

     […] the Heauens, which are carryed in 24 houres from Eaſt to Weſt, […]

   • 1981, E.R. Harrison, Cosmology, XII 250:

     […] in an infinitely large universe the stars would collectively outshine the Sun and flood the heavens with light far more intense than is observed.

2. (religion) plural form of heaven: the abode of God or the gods; the abode of the blessed departed.
   • 1832, Charles Coleman, The Mythology of the Hindus, XIII 220:

     Like the Buddhas, they [the Jains] believe that there is a plurality of heavens and hells;

3. (rare) plural form of heaven: the near sky of the weather, etc.
4. (rare) plural form of heaven the will of God or the gods, Providence.
   • 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC ↗, Daniel 4:26 ↗, column 1:

     […] after that thou ſhalt haue knowen that the heauens doe rule.

• French: cieux
• German: Himmel
• Italian: cieli
• Portuguese: céu
• Russian: небеса

• French: cieux
• German: Himmel

1. An expression of surprise, contempt, outrage, disgust, boredom, or frustration.
   • 1907 August, Robert W[illiam] Chambers, “Chapter IX: A Novice”, in The Younger Set, New York, N.Y.: D. Appleton & Company, →OCLC ↗, page 359 ↗:

     “Heavens!” exclaimed Nina, “the blue-stocking and the fogy!—and yours are pale blue, Eileen!—you’re about as self-conscious as Drina—slumping there with your hair tumbling à la Mérode! Oh, it's very picturesque, of course, but a straight spine and good grooming is better. […]”

• (expression of surprise) See Thesaurus:wow
• (expression of various negative emotions) for crying out loud, for Christ's sake, for God's sake, for goodness' sake, for pity's sake, good grief

• French: sapristi
• German: sapperlot
• Portuguese: céus!, credo!, santo Deus!

1. Third-person singular simple present indicative of heaven

Variant of Evans.

1. Surname.