safe haven

noun

plural safe havens

1

: a place of safety or refuge

In 1985, the City Council passed a resolution proclaiming the city a safe haven for refugees and prohibiting city employees from asking about individuals' immigration status.

—Mathew Miranda

Over three decades, the sanctuary has become a symbol of hope, working to end the drivers of illegal wildlife trade while providing a safe haven for hundreds of great apes.

—Business Wire

2

: an investment that is expected to retain or increase its value during times of economic downturn or market volatility

Investors seek out safe havens in order to limit their exposure to losses in the event of market downturns. However, assets that are deemed safe havens can vary depending on the specific nature of the down market.

—James Chen

—usually hyphenated when used before another noun

safe-haven assets

Examples of safe haven in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Since it was first created in 1990, TPS has provided a safe haven, including lawful status and access to work permits, for foreign nationals whose countries are experiencing a humanitarian crisis, armed conflict, fallout from natural disasters or other extreme conditions. —Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2026

For 40 years the maternity home, one of nearly 500 across the nation (many of which have religious affiliations), offered itself as a safe haven for girls in crisis. —Johnny Dodd, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026

The local council chairman, Mwada Saidu Uba, told The Associated Press that the village had previously been considered a safe haven. —ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026

Gold, traditionally seen as a safe haven, fell more than 10% in March. —Michelle Fox, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2026

Gold has long been viewed as a safe haven during uncertain economic periods. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026

Treasuries have long enjoyed the status as the world’s top safe haven asset. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2026

And yet targeting the country’s youngest potential voters, and turning universities – traditionally seen in Russia as safe havens from military conscription – into recruitment pipelines, carries political risk for the Kremlin, experts say. —Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 14 Apr. 2026

One answer would be that the more savage the storm, the more urgent the need for safe havens. —Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1668, in the meaning defined at sense 1