First Known Use: 12th century
Dictionary
1harbor
noun har·bor \ˈhär-bər\
: a part of the ocean, a lake, etc., that is next to land and that is protected and deep enough to provide safety for ships
: a place of safety and comfort
Full Definition of HARBOR
1
: a place of security and comfort : refuge
2
: a part of a body of water protected and deep enough to furnish anchorage; especially : one with port facilities
— har·bor·ful \-ˌfu̇l\ noun
— har·bor·less \-ləs\ adjective
See harbor defined for English-language learners
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Origin of HARBOR
2harbor
verb
: to give shelter to (someone) : to hide and protect (someone)
: to have (something, such as a thought or feeling) in your mind for a long time
: to hold or contain (something)
har·boredhar·bor·ing \-b(ə-)riŋ\
Full Definition of HARBOR
transitive verb
1
a : to give shelter or refuge to b : to be the home or habitat of <the ledges still harbor rattlesnakes>; broadly : contain 2
2
: to hold especially persistently in the mind : cherish <harbored a grudge>
intransitive verb
1
: to take shelter in or as if in a harbor
See harbor defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of HARBOR
12th century
HARBORFUL Defined for Kids
1harbor
noun har·bor \ˈhär-bər\
Definition of HARBOR for Kids
1
: a part of a body of water (as a sea or lake) so protected as to be a place of safety for ships : port
2
: a place of safety and comfort : refuge
2harbor
verb
har·boredhar·bor·ing
Definition of HARBOR for Kids
1
: to give shelter to <They harbored the escaped prisoner.>
2
: to have or hold in the mind <For years she harbored the desire to travel.>
Medical Dictionary
harbor
transitive verb har·bor \ˈhär-bər\
Medical Definition of HARBOR
: to contain or be the home, habitat, or host of <those who harbor the gene for the illness—William Booth> <green monkey (Cercopithecus aethiops) may have harbored the ancestor of the AIDS virus—R. C. Gallo>
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