Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

haven

noun ha·ven \ ˈhā-vən \
|Updated on: 17 Jul 2018
1 : harbor, port
2 : a place of safety : refuge
3 : a place offering favorable opportunities or conditions
  • a haven for artists
—

haven

transitive verb

See haven defined for English-language learners

See haven defined for kids

Examples of haven in a Sentence

  1. The shelter offers a haven from abusive spouses.

  2. The inn is a haven for weary travelers.

  3. This national park provides a safe haven for wildlife.

Recent Examples of haven from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'haven.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of haven

Middle English, from Old English hæfen; akin to Middle High German habene harbor

haven Synonyms

Synonyms

asylum, harbor, harborage, refuge, retreat, sanctuary, sanctum, shelter;

Related Words

oasis;

anchorage, mooring, port;

cover, screen;

housing, lodging, quarters, residence, rest, roof;

cloister, closet, covert, den, hermitage, hideaway, hideout, lair;

lean-to, lee, shed, windbreak;

Phrases Related to HAVEN

Related Phrases

HAVEN Defined for English Language Learners

haven

noun

  • : a place where you are protected from danger, trouble, etc.

HAVEN Defined for Kids

haven

noun ha·ven \ ˈhā-vən \
: a safe place

Learn More about haven

  1. See words that rhyme with haven Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for haven Spanish Central: Translation of haven Nglish: Translation of haven for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of haven for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up haven? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

WORD OF THE DAY

paste

play

to beat or defeat soundly

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. ideologue 'an often blindly partisan advocate or adherent of a particular ideology'

  2. socialism 'a way of organizing a society in which major industries are owned and controlled by the government'

  3. uphold 'to let stand'

  4. due process 'a course of formal proceedings (as judicial proceedings)'

  5. asylum 'protection from arrest and extradition given especially to political refugees'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

haven

Test Your Vocabulary

Test Your Emoji Exceptionalism

  • test-your-emoji-exceptionalism-written-with-a-lot-of-emoji
  • What is this emoji intended to represent: 🤳
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Add Diction

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games