If part of a country is declared a safe haven, people who need to escape from a dangerous situation such as a war can go there and be protected.
Countries which have accepted large numbers of refugees want safe havens set up atonce.
2. uncountable noun
If a country provides safe haven for people from another country who have been in danger, it allows them to stay there under its official protection.
[US]
He tried to rescue his ship after being refused safe haven in a Spanish port.
3. countable noun [usually singular]
A safe haven is a place, a situation, or an activity which provides people with an opportunity to escape from things that they find unpleasant or worrying.
...the idea of the family as a safe haven from the brutal outside world. [+ from]
More Synonyms of safe haven
safe haven in British English
(seɪf ˈheɪvən)
noun
1.
a place in a country offering protection or refuge to people in danger
2.
a relief or refuge
the idea of the family as a safe haven from the brutal outside world
3. finance
an investment that would still have most of its value if the stock market crashed
4. finance
an offshore bank that is considered safer to use or invest in in times of economic uncertainty, when domestic banks are more likely to fail
5. television, US
the period of time (usually in the evening or at night) that broadcasters can broadcast material considered unsuitable for children
Examples of 'safe haven' in a sentence
safe haven
These people see the country as a safe haven for their wealth.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The precious metal continues to shine mainly because it is considered a safe haven.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Investors looking for true safe havens should stay away.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The drugs industry is normally another safe haven in straitened times.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The perception of most people is that mutuals provide a safe haven.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Investors moved out of other perceived safe havens.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Defensive stocks were the main winners as investors sought out safe havens.
The Sun (2008)
There seem to be no shortage of reasons why investors should be flocking to the safe haven of gold.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Austerity cuts are important to help balance the economy but not at the expense of a safe haven for women.
The Sun (2015)
He feels that he can offer some payback to a country that has offered him and his family a safe haven.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Join in and hope the boom keeps going or keep your money in the real safe haven of a bank account?
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
With the prison destroyed, they need to find a new safe haven.
The Sun (2014)
The flight of hot money from cooling metal is heading for safe havens such as gold and platinum as well as crude oil.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Our own trusty Pound is increasingly seen as a safe haven.
The Sun (2011)
Amid the volatility, investors sought out perceived safe havens.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Post also wants people who have made a positive choice to enter teaching rather than those who are looking for a temporary safe haven.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
When we got to the military safe haven I made another call to say we were out and safe.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It's not just about the city being a safe haven, people can live here if things get tricky.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
You are going from a safe haven and are going to be dropped off into an area where you don't necessarily know what is going to occur.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In other languages
safe haven
British English: safe haven NOUN
If part of a country is declared a safe haven, people who need to escape from a dangerous situation such as a war can go there and be protected.
Countries overwhelmed by the human tide of refugees want safe havens set up at once.
American English: safe haven
Brazilian Portuguese: zona protegida
Chinese: > 安全区躲避战争等危险活动的
European Spanish: refugio
French: zone de sécurité
German: Zufluchtsort
Italian: zona protetta
Japanese: 安全な避難所
Korean: 안전한 피신처
European Portuguese: zona protegida
Latin American Spanish: refugio
(noun)
a safe haven for terrorists
Synonyms
refuge
We climbed up a winding track towards a mountain refuge.
security
He could not remain long in a place of security.
haven
a real haven at the end of a busy working day
protection
Innocence is no protection from the evils in our society.
resort
a genteel resort on the south coast
shelter
a shelter for homeless women
retreat
He spent yesterday in his country retreat.
harbour
a safe harbour for music rejected by the mainstream
asylum
They applied for asylum after fleeing their home country.
sanctuary
Some of them have sought sanctuary in the church.
hide-out
bolt hole
Additional synonyms
in the sense of asylum
Definition
refuge granted to a political refugee from a foreign country
They applied for asylum after fleeing their home country.
Synonyms
refuge,
security,
haven,
safety,
protection,
preserve,
shelter,
retreat,
harbour,
sanctuary
in the sense of harbour
Definition
a place of refuge or safety
a safe harbour for music rejected by the mainstream
Synonyms
sanctuary,
haven,
shelter,
retreat,
asylum,
refuge,
oasis,
covert,
safe haven,
sanctum
in the sense of haven
Definition
a place of safety
a real haven at the end of a busy working day
Synonyms
sanctuary,
shelter,
retreat,
asylum,
refuge,
oasis,
sanctum
Nearby words of
safe haven
sadistic
sadness
safe
safe haven
safe-conduct
safeguard
safekeeping
Synonyms of 'safe haven'
safe haven
Explore 'safe haven' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of protection
Definition
something that keeps (one) safe
Innocence is no protection from the evils in our society.
Synonyms
safeguard,
cover,
guard,
shelter,
screen,
barrier,
shield,
refuge,
buffer,
bulwark
in the sense of resort
Definition
a place to which many people go for holidays
a genteel resort on the south coast
Synonyms
holiday centre,
spot,
retreat,
haunt,
refuge,
tourist centre,
watering place (British)
in the sense of retreat
Definition
a place to which one may retire, esp. for religious contemplation
He spent yesterday in his country retreat.
Synonyms
refuge,
haven,
resort,
retirement,
shelter,
haunt,
asylum,
privacy,
den,
sanctuary,
hideaway,
seclusion
in the sense of sanctuary
Definition
refuge or safety
Some of them have sought sanctuary in the church.
Synonyms
protection,
shelter,
refuge,
haven,
retreat,
asylum
in the sense of security
Definition
the state of being free from danger, damage, or worry
He could not remain long in a place of security.
Synonyms
protection,
cover,
safety,
retreat,
asylum,
custody,
refuge,
sanctuary,
immunity,
preservation,
safekeeping
in the sense of shelter
Definition
something that provides cover or protection from weather or danger