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

• 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

Hamill is not the only actor to be critical of Trump that looked to other countries as havens following his reelection. —Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2025

Today, Travelers Rest still lives up to its name, serving as a haven for nature lovers, food enthusiasts, and those seeking adventure. —Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 17 Aug. 2025

While it’s grappled with the controversy over Sequoia in recent months, Mubi has since its founding in 2007 been hailed as a haven for international storytellers and subversive filmmakers. —Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 14 Aug. 2025

Perhaps cozy at-home book havens and small backyard ideas are what the philosopher had in mind here. —Kathryn O'Shea-Evans, Architectural Digest, 14 Aug. 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