harbour
|har-bour|
🇺🇸
/ˈhɑɹbɚ/
🇬🇧
/ˈhɑːbə(r)/
to provide shelter / to hold secretly
Etymology
'harbour' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'herebeorg', where 'here-' meant 'army' and 'beorg' meant 'shelter'.
'harbour' changed from Old English 'herebeorg' to Middle English forms such as 'herberwe' and 'harber', and eventually became the modern English word 'harbour'.
Initially, it meant 'shelter for an army', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a sheltered place for ships' and more generally 'a refuge'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a sheltered place on the coast or shore where ships can anchor, load, and unload; a port.
The ship entered the harbour before dawn.
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Noun 2
a place of refuge or protection (used metaphorically).
The village became a harbour for those fleeing the conflict.
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Verb 1
to provide shelter or refuge to (ships, people, etc.).
They harboured the refugees for several weeks.
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Verb 2
to keep (a thought, feeling, or intention), especially secretly; to hold onto an emotion or belief.
She still harbours doubts about the project's success.
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Last updated: 2025/10/06 23:45