haven

[hey-vuhn]

noun

1. a harbor or port.

2. any place of shelter and safety; refuge; asylum.

verb (used with object)

1. to shelter, as in a haven.

haven

/ ˈheɪvən /

noun

1. a port, harbour, or other sheltered place for shipping

2. a place of safety or sanctuary; shelter

verb

1. (tr) to secure or shelter in or as if in a haven

Other Word Forms

• havenless adjective
• havenward adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of haven¹

First recorded before 1050; Middle English; Old English hæfen; cognate with Dutch haven, German Hafen, Old Norse hǫfn; akin to Old English hæf, Old Norse haf sea

Word History and Origins

Origin of haven¹

Old English hæfen, from Old Norse höfn; related to Middle Dutch havene, Old Irish cuan to bend

Synonym Study

See harbor.

Example Sentences

The franc has already gained more than 13% against the U.S. dollar in the year to date, as investors sent demand in the currency soaring as a safe haven against this year’s geopolitical uncertainty.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It has been repackaging the controversial region into a tourist haven, touting not just its beauty but also the very local "ethnic" experiences that rights groups say it is trying to erase.

Read more on BBC

Treasury prices have been rising since that time as investors flocked to haven assets.

Read more on Barron's

California’s Jewish community must actively educate non-Jewish neighbors about the historical and ongoing contributions of Jews to the state’s development while establishing protective measures to reclaim California as a viable haven for Jewish life.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The precious metal is expected to face subdued haven buying amid promising U.S.-China trade talks, ANZ Research analysts say in a note.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• asylum 
• retreat 
• sanctuary 
• shelter 

When To Use

What is a haven?

A haven is any safe place, as in The woods can be a haven from a busy world.A safe place is the most common meaning of haven and can be used in many ways. For example, something can be a haven for a person (like your bedroom might be), for a particular behavior (as in a haven for corruption), or for a belief or religion. A haven can be a place safe from something negative or dangerous or a place safe for something negative or dangerous.A haven is also a harbor or port. In other words, it’s a place for a ship or other seagoing vehicle to dock safely or take refuge in during a storm.Haven appears in the phrase safe haven. A safe haven is a safe place for someone or something who is threatened.Haven also appears in the phrase tax haven. This is a location that has very low taxation rates for outside investors. The idea is that a tax haven provides a shelter from taxation.Example: My bedroom is a haven of peace in the midst of the chaos of Christmas decoration prep.