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

"Sharpness is something which comes with matches and although I haven't played in a while, it will be good to find out," said Raducanu, who lamented not playing enough matches before her painful US Open first-round exit in August.

From BBC

I haven’t actually had it measured, but it must be the size of a building.

From Los Angeles Times

“If you have a decentralized network, then it’s a lot more stable. And they haven’t been considering that in the ways in which they should.”

From Los Angeles Times

The copycat post banks on the proven virality of its parts and the fact that many users haven’t seen the original posts yet.

From Slate

I haven’t seen Better Man yet but the idea's perfect because, in a way, Robbie Williams is the performing monkey.

From BBC

Related Words

• asylum
• retreat
• sanctuary
• shelter