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.
Past its glory days, the street adopted a grimier reputation, with crime and dangerous drivers, but there was a vision to transform it into something resembling Magnolia Avenue, or one of south Fort Worth’s pedestrian havens. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026 Some of those billions would go toward construction - or reconstruction - of pipelines that run from northern Iraq and then on to Syria and Turkey, where the oil would then be loaded onto ships and the haven of the Mediterranean. — Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026 The cat haven has been operating for 28 years and houses 39 cat species, including cheetahs, bobcats, clouded leopards, cougars and snow leopards. — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 Set the scene Cloaked in dense foliage at the edge of Old Town Key West, the Island House is a haven for gay men looking for comraderie (and more) as part of a tropical vacation. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 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 1 Sep. 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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