haven

[ hey-vuhn ]

noun

1. a harbor or port.
2. any place of shelter and safety; refuge; asylum.

verb (used with object)

1. to shelter, as in a haven.

haven

/ ˈheɪvən /

noun

1. a port, harbour, or other sheltered place for shipping
2. a place of safety or sanctuary; shelter

verb

1. tr to secure or shelter in or as if in a haven

Derived Forms

• ˈhavenless, adjective

Other Words From

• haven·less adjective
• haven·ward adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of haven¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of haven¹

Old English hæfen, from Old Norse höfn; related to Middle Dutch havene, Old Irish cuan to bend

Synonym Study

See harbor.

Example Sentences

Since Trump was elected the first time, dozens of school districts have declared themselves "sanctuaries" or "safe havens" to reassure students they will not be deported.

From BBC

Billed as a haven for struggling artists, the complex began housing residents in April 2023.

From Los Angeles Times

The state is widely considered a safe haven for patients who live in states with abortion bans.

From Salon

She says it has been a “safe haven” for both her and her daughter Lilly-Jane.

From BBC

The manager, Kristoff, led her outside and even arranged a safe haven at a nearby pub.

From BBC

Related Words

• asylum
• retreat
• sanctuary
• shelter

More About Haven

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.

Where does haven come from?

The first records of the term haven come from before 1050. It ultimately comes from the Old English hæfen.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to haven?

• havenless (adjective)
• havenward (adjective)
• unhavened (adjective)

What are some synonyms for haven?

• refuge
• sanctuary
• shelter
• harbor
• port

What are some words that often get used in discussing haven?

• winter
• overseas
• seek
• provide

How is haven used in real life?

Haven is a common word frequently used to mean a place of safety or shelter. Tax haven and safe haven are commonly used.

Your relationship should be
a safe haven not a battlefield.

The world is hard enough already

— Josh… (@JD_Quotes2017) December 25, 2019

I will protect this haven, for your sake.

— 🪴 (@bobaggu) July 6, 2022

The @UN is failing abysmally in its mission. A vehicle to promote human dignity & freedom, it has become a self-serving and ever-expanding haven of privilege for the world's worst regimes, rife with bigotry, fraud & corruption both financial & moral.#UN_Stop_Genocide_in_Iran

— MR YAZDANPANAH (@MRYAZDAN) December 17, 2019

 

Try using haven!

True or False?

A haven is a place where someone is in danger.