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.
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
Apart from denying Pakistan's allegation that it had been providing safe harbour to militants, Afghanistan's government has repeatedly said its territory is not being used to threaten the security of other countries.
From BBC ● Jun. 10, 2026
St Fittick's Park is a stone's throw from the harbour.
From BBC ● Jun. 10, 2026
Freya, who turned 19 on the trip, was quick to catch a train to London to meet up with her best friend after tying up in Penzance harbour.
From BBC ● Jun. 6, 2026
A small stone breakwater had been thrown out across the cove for shelter, and behind it the bay formed a tiny natural harbour.
From "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
