harbor

Other spellings

• (UK) harbour

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /ˈhɑ:bə/
• (US) IPA ^(key): /ˈhɑrbər/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

Singular harbor

Plural harbors

1. (countable) A harbor is some water in a curve of land where it's safe for boats because there are no big waves.

   A ship in the harbor is safe -- but that is not what ships are for.

Verb

Plain form harbor

Third-person singular harbors

Past tense harbored

Past participle harbored

Present participle harboring

1. (transitive) To provide a harbor or safe place for something or someone.

   The old docks once harbored all kinds of ships, but they have been closed for years now.

2. (intransitive) To take refuge or shelter somewhere.

   The ships harbor in the bay during the winter months.

3. (transitive) To hold onto an idea.

   Sam has harbored resentment against Joe since Joe got the job they both applied for.