haven

noun

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

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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.
Beyond it is a three-hectare haven of silvery olive trees, luxuriant Washingtonia palms, and lawns where peacocks wander freely. — Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025 Behind her, a cluster of pastel shanties houses Rain Barrel Village, an open-air market and artist haven for more than 40 years. — Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 5 Aug. 2025 Singapore’s stock market is drawing interest from institutional and retail investors alike, helped by a potent combination of equity market reforms, rising dividends, foreign fund inflows and country’s enduring appeal as a geopolitical safe haven, said market watchers. — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2025 Lollapalooza can be seen as a safe haven — a place where music lovers go to catch all their favorite artists in one place. — Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2025 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Haven.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/haven. Accessed 15 Aug. 2025.

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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

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