harbour

American  

[hahr-ber] / ˈhɑr bər /

noun

Chiefly British.

1. harbor.

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harbour British  

/ ˈhɑːbə /

noun

1. a sheltered port

2. a place of refuge or safety

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verb

1. (tr) to give shelter to

   to harbour a criminal

2. (tr) to maintain secretly

   to harbour a grudge

3. to shelter (a vessel) in a harbour or (of a vessel) to seek shelter

Spelling

See -or ¹.

Other Word Forms

• harbourer noun
• harbourless adjective

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

Pakistan says it is targeting extremists who have carried out cross-border attacks, but authorities in Kabul deny harbouring militants.

From Barron's

Dredging and other modifications have been required at some harbours.

From BBC

“Jews no longer have any one safe harbour—it is now a question of relative safety in a dangerous world.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Supplies like hay, farm feed and bags of wood can harbour rodents.

From BBC

He will still harbour hopes of at least making the World Cup squad - but will need to make a good impression if he gets an opportunity against Uruguay and Japan.

From BBC