haven

noun

ha·​ven ˈhā-vən How to pronounce haven (audio)
Synonyms of haven
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

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
It is said that this haven of peace guarantees total privacy for its visitors and residents. — Eliza Prosperini, Vanity Fair, 7 Aug. 2026 With a grassy lawn and additional spaces for gathering, the backyard extends the sense of a personal haven beyond the home’s walls. — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 7 Aug. 2026 As restrictive racial covenants to limit who could own property spread over the East Bay, more than 1,400 Black and Latino residents found a haven on the other side of the Union Pacific railroad tracks west of downtown Hayward. — Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2026 At its best, social media can be a haven for people who want to share their experiences and knowledge. — Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for haven

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of haven was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing haven

Rhymes for haven

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Browse Nearby Words

have much to commend it
haven
haven't
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Cite this Entry

“Haven.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/haven. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

haven

noun
ha·​ven ˈhā-vən How to pronounce haven (audio)
1
: harbor entry 1 sense 2, port
2
: a place of safety : shelter

More from Merriam-Webster on haven

Nglish: Translation of haven for Spanish Speakers

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