harbor
13 synonyms and 2 antonyms for harbor, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A sheltered area of water where ships can dock or anchor safely.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A sheltered area of water where ships can dock or anchor safely.
“Sailors tied up their yachts in the quiet harbor for the night.”
How to use harbor
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
harbor a fugitive
harbor resentment
safe harbor
harbor doubts
Etymology
From Old English herebeorg ("shelter, lodgings"), from roots meaning "army" and "protection" — literally a safe place for a group to camp.
Full origin of harbor →Frequently asked questions
What does “harbor” mean?
The word “harbor” means a sheltered area of water where ships can dock or anchor safely. In plain terms, a sheltered dock for ships, or (as a verb) to secretly shelter someone or hold onto a feeling.
How do you pronounce “harbor”?
“Harbor” is pronounced HAH-buh (/ˈhɑɹbɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “harbor” in a sentence?
Here is “harbor” used in a sentence: “The fishing boats returned to the harbor just before the storm hit.”
What part of speech is “harbor”?
Depending on how it is used, “harbor” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “harbor” come from?
The word “harbor” comes from Old English. From Old English herebeorg ("shelter, lodgings"), from roots meaning "army" and "protection" — literally a safe place for a group to camp.
Is “harbor” a common word?
“Harbor” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “harbor” have?
“Harbor” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sheltered area of water where ships can dock or anchor safely.
What is the difference between "harbor" and "harbour"?
They are the same word with different spellings: "harbor" is the American spelling and "harbour" is the British and Commonwealth spelling. Both refer to a sheltered area of water where ships can dock or anchor safely.
What is the difference between a harbor and a port?
A harbor is a sheltered stretch of water where ships can anchor safely, while a port is a harbor that also has commercial facilities such as docks, cranes, and terminals for cargo and passengers. Every port needs a harbor, but not every harbor is a port.
What is the difference between "harbor" and "haven"?
A harbor is specifically a sheltered body of water for ships, while a haven is any place of safety or refuge, which may or may not involve water. "Haven" is often used figuratively, as in "a safe haven."
