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Meaning & use

harbor

noun, verb·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈhɑːbə/
US/ˈhɑːrbər/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    A sheltered area of water along a coast where ships can anchor safely.

    Grammar: Countable; use 'a harbor' or 'the harbor' when referring to a specific place.

    Patterns

    • in the harbor
    • into the harbor
    • a natural harbor

    The fishing boats returned to the harbor before the storm.

    We walked along the harbor and watched the sunset.

    The city built a new harbor to attract larger ships.

  2. verbtransitive

    To keep a feeling or thought hidden in your mind for a long time.

    Grammar: Takes an object: harbor doubts, harbor resentment.

    Patterns

    • harbor a feeling
    • harbor doubts
    • harbor resentment

    She harbored a secret hope that he would return.

    He harbored doubts about the plan but said nothing.

    They harbored resentment toward their old boss for years.

  3. verbtransitive

    To give shelter or protection to someone, especially someone being chased.

    Grammar: Takes an object: harbor a fugitive.

    Patterns

    • harbor a fugitive
    • harbor someone

    The family was accused of harboring a criminal.

    It is illegal to harbor someone who has escaped from prison.

Word forms

pluralharbors
third person singularharbors
past tenseharbored
past participleharbored
-ing formharboring

Common combinations

natural harbor
The town is built around a natural harbor.
harbor doubts
I began to harbor doubts about his honesty.
harbor resentment
She harbored resentment for years after the argument.
safe harbor
The boat found a safe harbor from the storm.

Synonyms and how they differ

port
A port is a place where ships load and unload goods; a harbor is the sheltered water itself, which may or may not have port facilities.
haven
Haven is more literary and often suggests a place of safety from danger, while harbor is the everyday word for a sheltered coastal water area.

Word family

harborage noun
Shelter or anchorage for ships; a less common, formal term.

Commonly confused: harbor or harbour?

harbor vs harbour

This is the British spelling of the same word; American English uses 'harbor' without the u.

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