haven

noun

ha·​ven ˈhā-vən 

1

: harbor, port

2

: a place of safety : refuge

3

: a place offering favorable opportunities or conditions

a haven for artists

haven transitive verb

Synonyms

• anchorage
• harbor
• harborage
• port

Examples of haven in a Sentence

The shelter offers a haven from abusive spouses.

The inn is a haven for weary travelers.

This national park provides a safe haven for wildlife.

Recent Examples on the Web

Situated in the cold, clear clutches of Lake Superior, this 98-percent untamed Isle Royale National Park in my home state is a haven for adventurers from spring through fall. —Alexandra Gillespie, Outside Online, 16 Dec. 2024

This conservation haven owes its existence to the sewage plant’s toxic history. —Mark Degraff, The Mercury News, 14 Dec. 2024

Even though this circular haven is bantam in size, there are plenty of things to do to keep you tickled during your visit. —Wendy Altschuler, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

And what our nation has tried to stand for—freedom and democracy, a haven for immigrants, a bulwark against fascism—will soon fundamentally change. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English hæfen; akin to Middle High German habene harbor

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing haven

• tax haven

Kids Definition

haven

noun

ha·​ven ˈhā-vən 

1

: harbor entry 1 sense 2, port

2

: a place of safety : shelter