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 Breakers is a haven for children and families, thanks to the kids’ club that’s practically attached to the hotel’s Italian restaurant, a playground, a video game arcade, and a basketball court just for the little ones. —David Shaftel, Travel + Leisure, 15 Nov. 2025

David Phillips is on the training team of the Liberal Gun Club, which has chapters in more than 30 states and provides a haven for liberals to train and learn about guns. —NPR, 15 Nov. 2025

Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep have found a haven from predators at the Morenci copper mine in Arizona. —John Leos, AZCentral.com, 14 Nov. 2025

This piece, created in 1916, shows the details of Klimt’s last summer in his Attersee haven, with trees and various homes seen dotting the area’s lake. —Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 12 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