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

The apartment has original hardwood floors, which set the stage for thoughtful modern and vintage furniture; a fiddle leaf fig tree as well as other touches of real plant life on the interior and exterior add to the garden district location to make this stay a plant lover’s haven. —Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 16 Dec. 2025

Investors are selling first and rotating into safer havens now. —Jay Woods, CNBC, 16 Dec. 2025

Matagorda’s marshes are a haven for birds, too, which flock to the area year-round, but especially during winter migration. —Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 15 Dec. 2025

Ariana Grande and Law Roach went exploring with Los Angeles vintage haven Timeless Vixen, pulling a whimsical Lilli Diamond dress and coat ensemble from the 1950s, and a ’40s-era Gilbert Adrian caped dress. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 15 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