harbor

[ hahr-ber ]

/ ˈhɑr bər /

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See synonyms for: harbor / harbored / harboring on Thesaurus.com

noun

a part of a body of water along the shore deep enough for anchoring a ship and so situated with respect to coastal features, whether natural or artificial, as to provide protection from winds, waves, and currents.

such a body of water having docks or port facilities.

any place of shelter or refuge: The old inn was a harbor for tired travelers.

verb (used with object)

to give shelter to; offer refuge to: They harbored the refugees who streamed across the borders.

to conceal; hide: to harbor fugitives.

to keep or hold in the mind; maintain; entertain: to harbor suspicion.

to house or contain.

to shelter (a vessel), as in a harbor.

verb (used without object)

(of a vessel) to take shelter in a harbor.

OTHER WORDS FOR harbor

3 asylum, sanctuary, retreat.

4 protect, lodge.

See synonyms for harbor on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Also especially British, har·bour .

Origin of harbor

before 1150; Middle English herber(we), herberge,Old English herebeorg lodgings, quarters (here army + (ge)beorg refuge); cognate with German Herberge

synonym study for harbor

1. Harbor, haven, port indicate a shelter for ships. A harbor may be natural or artificially constructed or improved: a fine harbor on the eastern coast. A haven is usually a natural harbor that can be utilized by ships as a place of safety; the word is common in literary use: a haven in time of storm; a haven of refuge. A port is a harbor viewed especially in its commercial relations, though it is frequently applied in the meaning of harbor or haven also: a thriving port; any old port in a storm. 6. See cherish.

OTHER WORDS FROM harbor

har·bor·er, nounhar·bor·less, adjectivehar·bor·ous, adjectiveun·har·bored, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH harbor

dock, harbor , pier, wharf

Words nearby harbor

harassment, Harbin, harbinger, harbinger-of-spring, Harbona, harbor, harborage, harbor master, harbor seal, harborside, harbour

How to use harbor in a sentence

The harbor dredging has been insufficient in recent years and the city has been looking for other ways to restore its eroding coastline.
North County Report: Oceanside Moves Ahead on Groins Without Mayor’s Support|Kayla Jimenez|August 18, 2021|Voice of San Diego
The Portuguese had heard stories about Benin that compelled them to breach their customary adherence to coastal harbors and take the risk of venturing into the delta.
How the language of the Edo people of Nigeria made its way into Portuguese creole|Uwagbale Edward-Ekpu|July 23, 2021|Quartz
It was midmorning on a Tuesday and the harbor bath was filled with locals splashing about.
Denmark Is Open to Americans—Here’s What It’s Like to Visit Right Now|Mary Holland|July 2, 2021|The Daily Beast
Across the harbor, Amass restaurant from acclaimed chef Matt Orlando, also created a pop-up making fried chicken during the pandemic.
Denmark Is Open to Americans—Here’s What It’s Like to Visit Right Now|Mary Holland|July 2, 2021|The Daily Beast

It is a harbor offering them safety and affirmation amid choppy waters.
‘Here We Can Express Ourselves With Freedom.’ In Puerto Rico, A Trans Collective Is Reimagining Family Values|Alejandra Rosa|June 29, 2021|Time
“If Charleston harbor needs improvement, let the commerce of Charleston bear the burden,” he said.
Steve Scalise Shows There’s a Fine Line Between Confederate & Southern|Lloyd Green|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
It is, Zelden said, “unthinkable” that Scalise would harbor these views.
No. 3 Republican Admits Talking to White Supremacist Conference|Tim Mak|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Rights activists like Boledi, the Iranian Baluch dissident living in Sweden, harbor some of the same concerns.
The Dangerous Drug-Funded Secret War Between Iran and Pakistan|Umar Farooq|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I harbor a rock ‘n’ roll fantasy, just like anybody, and I welcomed the challenge.
Michael C. Hall on Going Drag for ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’ and Exorcising ‘Dexter’|Marlow Stern|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He continued to harbor core conservative beliefs, but started to believe they could be achieved “through liberal structures.”
Canada’s Subversive Sock Puppet: Ed the Sock Isn’t Afraid to Say Anything|Soraya Roberts|November 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This he did, erecting at the harbor a beautiful cross bearing the arms of France.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
Whenever he heard of one coming into harbor, he hastened to the shore, and closely watched the disembarking.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
She had all her life long been accustomed to harbor thoughts and emotions which never voiced themselves.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
Some time this summer we are going to get up a nice crowd and sail as far as Bar Harbor—maybe.
The Campfire Girls of Roselawn|Margaret Penrose
A crowd watched the ship towed, for safe-keeping, under the guns of the Romney in the harbor.
The Eve of the Revolution|Carl Becker