harbour
Americannoun
noun
-
a sheltered port
-
a place of refuge or safety
verb
-
(tr) to give shelter to
to harbour a criminal
-
(tr) to maintain secretly
to harbour a grudge
-
to shelter (a vessel) in a harbour or (of a vessel) to seek shelter
Spelling
See -or 1.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of harbour
Old English herebeorg, from here troop, army + beorg shelter; related to Old High German heriberga hostelry, Old Norse herbergi
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"It sits right in the heart of the harbour," he said.
From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2026
Archaeologists have found pieces of Greek pottery, as well as rooms and large jars for storing goods from the harbour, discoveries that Karam said showed the ancient city's "lively commercial activity".
From Barron's ● Aug. 29, 2026
He won league and cup silverware during that spell but supporters will still harbour concerns about his ability to win big as a manager.
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
The Memorial Garden, hanging baskets along Victoria Street, flower displays at the Channel Islands' only railway station, and planting schemes at both the harbour and airport are among areas being showcased.
From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026
They were more than kind and courteous, and took us at once on board the Czarina Catherine, which lay at anchor out in the river harbour.
From "Dracula" by Bram Stoker
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
