B2noun5K

Harbour

UK /["/ˈhɑːbə(r)/"]/US /["/ˈhɑːrbər/"]/

Definition

an area of water on the coast, protected from the open sea by strong walls, where ships can shelter

In simple words: A place where boats are kept safely.

Examples

  • Several boats lay at anchor in the harbour.
  • to **enter/leave harbour**
  • the harbour front/mouth/wall
  • She felt as though she'd reached a safe harbour after sailing in a vast, unfriendly sea.
  • The fishing fleet is in harbour.
  • The town has a small natural harbour.
  • They entered the harbour with flags flying.
  • We sailed out of the harbour at daybreak.
  • We landed in a natural sheltered harbour.
  • the old harbour town of Watchet

Usage notes

Use 'harbour' when referring to a sheltered area for boats in both spoken and written contexts. It can also metaphorically refer to keeping feelings or thoughts. Avoid in highly informal conversations.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Sounds like 'harbor' — think of a safe place for ships to dock.

Collocations

  • deep
  • deep-water
  • good
  • have
  • come into
  • enter
  • defences/​defenses
  • wall
  • town
  • in (a/​the) harbour
  • into (a/​the) harbour
  • out of a/​the harbour
  • the entrance to a harbour
  • the mouth of a harbour

Synonyms

  • dock
  • port
  • marina
  • haven
  • refuge

Antonyms

  • port
  • open sea
  • exposure

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'harbor', the American spelling.
  • Used in non-nautical contexts where 'bay' might be more accurate.
  • Pluralized as 'harbours' incorrectly when referring to the concept.