a part of a body of water along the shore deep enough for anchoring a ship and so situated with respect to coastal features, whether natural or artificial, as to provide protection from winds, waves, and currents.
such a body of water having docks or port facilities.
any place of shelter or refuge: The old inn was a harbor for tired travelers.
verb (used with object)
to give shelter to; offer refuge to: They harbored the refugees who streamed across the borders.
to conceal; hide: to harbor fugitives.
to keep or hold in the mind; maintain; entertain: to harbor suspicion.
to house or contain.
to shelter (a vessel), as in a harbor.
verb (used without object)
(of a vessel) to take shelter in a harbor.
Also especially British, har·bour .
Origin of harbor
before 1150; Middle English herber(we), herberge,Old English herebeorg lodgings, quarters (here army + (ge)beorg refuge); cognate with German Herberge
SYNONYMS FOR harbor
3 asylum, sanctuary, retreat.
4 protect, lodge.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR harbor ON THESAURUS.COM
synonym study for harbor
1. Harbor,haven,port indicate a shelter for ships. A harbor may be natural or artificially constructed or improved: a fine harbor on the eastern coast. A haven is usually a natural harbor that can be utilized by ships as a place of safety; the word is common in literary use: a haven in time of storm; a haven of refuge. A port is a harbor viewed especially in its commercial relations, though it is frequently applied in the meaning of harbor or haven also: a thriving port; any old port in a storm.6. See cherish.