haven

noun

ha·​ven ˈhā-vən How to pronounce haven (audio)
1
2
: a place of safety : refuge
3
: a place offering favorable opportunities or conditions
a haven for artists
haven transitive verb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Here are six cool-weather havens worth considering this summer. Kathleen Peddicord, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025 Gold, a traditional safe haven, has smashed through record highs across the past two years. John Towfighi, CNN Money, 30 June 2025 More recently, Miami has become a haven for Latin America’s affluent and aspirational. James Horncastle, New York Times, 28 June 2025 Some salute institutions like Annie’s Paramount Steak House in Washington D.C.; lesbian-feminist restaurant Bloodroot in Bridgeport, Conn.; and trans safe havens like Napalese Lounge and Grille in Green Bay, Wis. Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for haven

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of haven was before the 12th century

Cite this Entry

“Haven.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/haven. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

haven

noun
ha·​ven ˈhā-vən How to pronounce haven (audio)
1
2
: a place of safety : shelter

More from Merriam-Webster on haven

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!