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

Suburban havens in midsize cities also topped the list, including Sunnyvale, California; Naperville, Illinois; and Carmel, Indiana. —Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 6 Dec. 2025

Many lives were lost repelling attacks by African imperial armies and slave-raiding parties, and many more in the often gruelling marches that enabled vulnerable communities to relocate to safe havens in hills, mountains, and forests. —Literary Hub, 5 Dec. 2025

The Great Lakes region has wide appeal because of affordability and being a 'relatively safe haven' against climate change, the report says. —Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 5 Dec. 2025

The lake is a haven for houseboaters, paddlers, and swimmers. —Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 4 Dec. 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