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 of haven

• harbor
• port
• anchorage

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

Her government was instrumental in cracking down on anti-India insurgent groups that used Bangladeshi territory as a safe haven. —Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 22 Nov. 2025

Golden Gate Park is a would-be homeless haven, but local authorities have managed to keep camps from proliferating. —Literary Hub, 21 Nov. 2025

However, the premier, who has denied allegations of antisemitism, has gone through extensive efforts to portray Hungary as a safe haven for Jews, around 100,000 of whom live in the Central European nation. —Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025

Recuperative care also provided a safe haven for Timothy Sawyer. —Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Nov. 2025

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

Rhymes for haven

• craven
• flavin
• graven
• maven
• pavan
• raven
• shaven
• engraven
• unshaven
• riboflavin

Kids Definition

haven

noun

ha·​ven ˈhā-vən 

1

: harbor entry 1 sense 2, port

2

: a place of safety : shelter