panah

Panah, or panāh (Persian: پناه; Urdu: پناہ), is a word in Persian and Urdu meaning shelter, refuge, or protection. In literal usage, it denotes a place of safety from danger; metaphorically, it can signify security or sanctuary provided by others. The term is common in poetry and everyday speech, reflecting notions of safety, hospitality, and guardianship. It also appears in various idioms and proverbs across Persian-speaking cultures.

The word panah is the root for related terms such as panahgah (پناهگاه), meaning shelter or refuge, and is used in compound forms to indicate sanctuaries, safe havens, or asylum facilities.

Panah functions as a personal name in Persian-speaking regions and among South Asian communities. It is used for both men and women, and may also occur as a surname among individuals of Persian, Afghan, or related heritage. In addition, panah appears in place names and organizational titles that emphasize protection, safety, or assistance.

Across languages that borrow from Persian, transliterations may vary (panah, panāh, panaha), but the core meaning remains shelter or refuge. Related terms in the broader family of languages convey similar concepts of protection and safety. See also panahgah, shelter, refuge, asylum.