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

From the home’s everyday style to the season’s merry moments, here’s how the designer has patiently curated a welcoming haven that’s a thoughtful reflection of her family. —Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 29 Nov. 2025

This eclectic community of artists comprises a variety of venues, including a retail shop, event space, social club, and creative haven. —Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 29 Nov. 2025

Andrews spent the prior two seasons before this one in the Pacific Coast League, a notorious offensive haven, and got knocked around so much that he was likely hindered in finding a contract last offseason. —Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025

To prove Serena's fandom, Farm Sanctuary, a nonprofit haven for farm animals, shared a video of the bird listening to Swift's new album, The Life of a Showgirl. —Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 25 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