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REFERENCE

harbor

n. · v.
US //ˈhɑɹbɝ// UK //hˈɑːbɐ// har·bor
  1. 1 shelter for ships (n.)
    B1 Intermediate American English

    a protected area of water next to the land where ships can stay safely.

    a sheltered part of a body of water deep enough to provide anchorage for ships.

    Example

    The fishing boats returned to the harbor before the storm arrived.

    Example

    The natural harbor provided a strategic advantage, allowing the fleet to remain protected from the Atlantic swells while undergoing essential repairs.
    • open sea
  2. 2 a place of safety (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate American English Literary

    any place that gives you safety or protection from danger.

    a place of shelter or refuge from external threats or harsh conditions.

    Example

    The small library was a quiet harbor for students during the busy exam week.

    Example

    For many refugees, the community center served as a safe harbor where they could find legal advice and emotional support.
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  1. 3 to keep a thought or feeling (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate American English

    to keep a particular thought or feeling in your mind for a long time.

    to maintain or persistently entertain a specific thought, emotion, or suspicion in one's mind.

    Example

    He did not harbor any bad feelings toward his former boss.

    Example

    Despite the public apology, many citizens continued to harbor deep suspicions regarding the government's true motivations for the policy change.
  2. 4 to hide or protect someone (v.)
    C1 Advanced American English Formal Law

    to give a home or a secret place to stay to someone, especially someone the police are looking for.

    to provide shelter or concealment to someone, frequently in a legal context involving a fugitive or criminal.

    Example

    It is a crime to harbor a criminal who is running from the law.

    Example

    The defendant was charged with harboring a fugitive after the police discovered the suspect hiding in his basement for three weeks.

    Usage

    This verb is transitive and requires a direct object, usually a person.
Etymology 1

From Middle English herberwe, herber, from Old English herebeorg (“shelter, lodgings, quarters”), from Proto-West Germanic harjabergu (“army shelter, refuge”), from harjaz (“army”) + *bergō (“protection”), equivalent to Old English here (“army, host”) + beorg (“defense, protection, refuge”). Doublet of albergo and auberge. See also borrow, bury, harbinger, harry and here.

Etymology 2

From Middle English herberwen, herbere, from Old English herebeorgian (“to take up one's quarters, lodge”), from the noun (see above).

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