haven
Americannoun
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a harbor or port.
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any place of shelter and safety; refuge; asylum.
verb (used with object)
noun
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a port, harbour, or other sheltered place for shipping
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a place of safety or sanctuary; shelter
verb
Usage
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.
Related Words
See harbor.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of haven
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
Explanation
Need to find shelter, from the weather or from other troubles? Then you need a haven. Haven looks a lot like heaven, and the words have quite a bit in common. A haven isn't necessarily as wonderful as heaven is supposed to be, but it is a good place to find when you're in trouble or someone is after you. This word often appears in the phrase "safe haven," which is a good reminder of its meaning. A haven is a safe place, and people who are in trouble tend to seek havens.
Vocabulary lists containing haven
I Am Malala
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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 pictures the theme park as the culmination of these ventures: a home base for his ideas and a haven of family experiences.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026
The agency has been working with staff at Milton Country Park, near Cambridge, to develop one of its ponds into a haven for crucian carp, a protected native species in the UK.
From BBC • May 10, 2026
“She has always envisioned creating a sanctuary for horses and all creatures, providing them with a safe haven filled with love and care,” her bio says.
From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2026
Bitcoin’s safe haven reputation is fading, but Michael Saylor champions it as “digital capital” and superior to gold.
From Barron's • May 5, 2026
Arya drew second watch, so she found a straw pallet in the haven.
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
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.
