harbor

[ hahr-ber ]

noun

1. 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.
2. such a body of water having docks or port facilities.
3. any place of shelter or refuge:

   The old inn was a harbor for tired travelers.

   Synonyms: retreat, sanctuary, asylum

verb (used with object)

1. to give shelter to; offer refuge to:

   They harbored the refugees who streamed across the borders.

   Synonyms: lodge, protect

2. to conceal; hide:

   to harbor fugitives.

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

   to harbor suspicion.

4. to house or contain.
5. to shelter (a vessel), as in a harbor.

verb (used without object)

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

Other Words From

• harbor·er noun
• harbor·less adjective
• harbor·ous adjective
• un·harbored adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of harbor¹

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

Synonym Study

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. See cherish.

Example Sentences

The harbor dredging has been insufficient in recent years and the city has been looking for other ways to restore its eroding coastline.

From 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.

From Quartz

It was midmorning on a Tuesday and the harbor bath was filled with locals splashing about.

From The Daily Beast

Across the harbor, Amass restaurant from acclaimed chef Matt Orlando, also created a pop-up making fried chicken during the pandemic.

From The Daily Beast

It is a harbor offering them safety and affirmation amid choppy waters.

From Time

“If Charleston harbor needs improvement, let the commerce of Charleston bear the burden,” he said.

From The Daily Beast

It is, Zelden said, “unthinkable” that Scalise would harbor these views.

From The Daily Beast

Rights activists like Boledi, the Iranian Baluch dissident living in Sweden, harbor some of the same concerns.

From The Daily Beast

I harbor a rock ‘n’ roll fantasy, just like anybody, and I welcomed the challenge.

From The Daily Beast

He continued to harbor core conservative beliefs, but started to believe they could be achieved “through liberal structures.”

From The Daily Beast

This he did, erecting at the harbor a beautiful cross bearing the arms of France.

From Project Gutenberg

Whenever he heard of one coming into harbor, he hastened to the shore, and closely watched the disembarking.

From Project Gutenberg

She had all her life long been accustomed to harbor thoughts and emotions which never voiced themselves.

From Project Gutenberg

Some time this summer we are going to get up a nice crowd and sail as far as Bar Harbor—maybe.

From Project Gutenberg

A crowd watched the ship towed, for safe-keeping, under the guns of the Romney in the harbor.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• believe
• cherish
• cling to
• maintain
• retain