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

Researchers from the South China Botanical Garden (SCBG), part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the CAS Guangxi Institute of Botany, found that massive sinkholes – known as karst tiankengs – are both a haven and a dead end for species. — New Atlas, 24 July 2026

Big Bear Lake is a fishing haven, and fishing gear such as sinkers are often made of lead. — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026

Unlike Portofino and Capri, Sestri didn’t become a glitterati haven, although Avatar star Zoe Saldana vacationed here several years ago, and Casey Affleck and Matt Dillon have turned up for the town’s annual film festival. — Catherine Sabino, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

The Po Delta is a haven for marine life, said Massimiliano Costa, director of the Po Delta Park that helps conserve and manage the local environment. — Kasha Patel, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

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

• safe 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