harbor

An area of water near land where boats can stay safely and load or unload goods.

• The boat entered the harbor.
• Several ships were waiting in the harbor.
• Workers unloaded the cargo at the harbor.

Similar words: port, haven

Common phrases: busy harbor, harbor entrance, in the harbor

A place where someone can stay safely or avoid being caught.

• The village became a harbor for refugees.
• They found a quiet harbor away from the fighting.
• The empty warehouse was a harbor for thieves.

How to use it: harbor for someone/something (The island became a harbor for escaped prisoners.)

Similar words: refuge, haven, shelter

Common phrases: safe harbor, harbor for someone

To keep a thought or feeling in your mind, often without telling anyone.

• I harbor no doubts about her honesty.
• He harbored resentment for many years.
• Do you still harbor hopes of moving abroad?

How to use it: harbor something against someone (She harbored a grudge against her former boss.)

Similar words: hold, nurse

Common phrases: harbor doubts, harbor resentment, harbor a grudge, harbor a belief

To give someone or something a safe place to stay or hide.

• They harbor refugees in their home.
• The family was accused of harboring a fugitive.
• This small port once harbored fishing boats.

Similar words: shelter, hide

Common phrases: harbor a fugitive, harbor criminals, harbor ships

To stay in a safe place, especially a protected area of water.

• The boats harbor here during storms.
• Our ship harbored in a quiet bay overnight.
• Small vessels often harbor near the island in winter.

How to use it: harbor in something (The fishing boats harbor in the bay during rough weather.)

Similar words: shelter, take refuge

Common phrases: harbor in something, harbor here