noun

harbor

HAH-buh

noun

A sheltered area of water where ships can dock or anchor safely.

"The fishing boats returned to the harbor just before the storm hit."

verb

To provide shelter or refuge for someone or something, including secretly hiding a fugitive.

"The family was accused of harboring an escaped prisoner."

"She admitted she still harbored some resentment toward her old boss."

How to Use Harbor

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA sheltered dock for ships, or (as a verb) to secretly shelter someone or hold onto a feeling.

UK vs US

This is the American spelling; British English uses "harbour."

Easily confused with

harbour →

Common pairings

harbor a fugitive harbor resentment safe harbor harbor doubts

harbored past tense, harbors plural, Harbors plural, harbors singular

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The fishing boats returned to the _____ just before the storm hit.

From Old English herebeorg ("shelter, lodgings"), from roots meaning "army" and "protection" — literally a safe place for a group to camp.

arbor