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

“In the backdrop, we had this growing anti-immigrant, nativist, fascist rhetoric rising in the country,” said Perea, the executive director of the Harbor Institute for Immigrant and Economic Justice.

From Los Angeles Times

It is bordered by golf courses, Los Angeles Harbor College, federally owned land and residential neighborhoods.

From Los Angeles Times

Quarterback Makena Cook took the snap, surveyed the field, and calmly threw a dart to freshman Maddison Milne for a first down that clinched the Lancers’ 20-18 triumph over Newport Harbor in the inaugural Southern Section Division 1 flag football championship game Saturday night at El Modena High.

From Los Angeles Times

Newport Harbor was trying to avenge a 28-12 defeat to Orange Lutheran on Aug. 24, and the Sailors scored on their first possession on Helmar’s five-yard strike to Skylie Cid.

From Los Angeles Times

The prime-time matchup at 4:45 p.m. will feature No. 1-seeded Orange Lutheran against No. 2 Newport Harbor for the Division I title in a rematch of their regular-season meeting Aug. 24 in which the Lancers prevailed 28-12.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• believe
• cherish
• cling to
• maintain
• retain