harbor

pronunciation

How to pronounce harbor in British English: UK [ˈhɑːbə]word uk audio image

How to pronounce harbor in American English: US [ˈhɑrbər] word us audio image

  • Noun:
    a sheltered port where ships can take on or discharge cargo
    a place of refuge and comfort and security
  • Verb:
    maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)
    secretly shelter (as of fugitives or criminals)
    keep in one's possession; of animals
    hold back a thought or feeling about

Word Origin

harbor (n.)
"lodging for ships; sheltered recess in a coastline," early 12c., a specialized sense of Middle English herberwe "temporary dwelling place, quarters, lodgings; an inn; the camp of an army in the field," probably from Old English here-beorg (West Saxon), *here-berg (Anglian) "lodgings, quarters," from Proto-Germanic compound *harja-bergaz "shelter, lodgings," from *heri "army, host" (see harry (v.)) + *burzjan- "protection, shelter" (see bury (v.)). Perhaps modeled on Old Norse herbergi "room, lodgings, quarters."
harbor (v.)
Old English herebeorgian "take up quarters, lodge, shelter oneself" (cognate with Old Norse herbergja, Old High German heribergon, Middle Dutch herbergen), verbal formation from here-beorg "lodgings, quarters" (see harbor (n.)). Meaning "give shelter to, protect" is from mid-14c. Figuratively, of thoughts, etc., from late 14c. Related: Harbored; harboring.

Example

1. I didn 't know where pearl harbor was-nobody did .
2. Jacob found a job on a harbor .
3. Rental cars are available on friday harbor via m & w auto .
4. Many coastal cities offer deep-sea fishing whale watching and harbor cruises .
5. I harbor an inexplicable hostility towards business majors .

more: >How to Use "harbor" with Example Sentences