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Added 9 October 2026

harbor

/ˈhɑːbə/ noun

In Latin: portus Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about harbor at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

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).
bear a grudge
Secretly shelter (as of fugitives or criminals).
Keep in one's possession; of animals.

Origin

From Middle English herberwe, herber, from Old English herebeorg (“shelter, lodgings, quarters”), from Proto-West Germanic *harjabergu (“army shelter, refuge”), from *harjaz (“army”) + *bergō (“protection”), equivalent to Old English here (“army, host”) + beorg (“defense, protection, refuge”). The final syllable was subsequently altered by analogy with the Anglo‐Norman and Old French suffix -or (as seen in loanwords like honour and labour). Doublet of albergo and auberge. See also borrow, bury, harbinger, harry and here.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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