Heaven is, in many religions, the place where people go after they die. Different religions have different ideas about what heaven looks like and who goes there, but the common thread is that it represents the best possible existence after life on earth.

People sometimes use the word heaven to describe something wonderfully pleasant, even if they're not talking about religion. When you bite into your favorite dessert, you might say, “This is heaven!” A beautiful, peaceful garden might be called heavenly. A comfortable bed after a long day of hiking could feel like heaven.

The phrase seventh heaven means a state of perfect happiness. If your team wins the championship or you get to spend the whole day doing your favorite activity, you might be in seventh heaven. This expression comes from ancient beliefs that there were seven levels of heaven, with the seventh being the highest and best.

When someone says “Heaven knows” or “Heaven forbid,” they're using old-fashioned expressions. “Heaven knows” can mean “nobody knows” or “it's a mystery,” while “Heaven forbid” expresses hope that something bad won't happen.