harbour

Other spellings

• (US) harbor

Pronunciation

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

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

Singular harbour

Plural harbours

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

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

Verb

Plain form harbour

Third-person singular harbours

Past tense harboured

Past participle harboured

Present participle harbouring

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

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

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

   The ships harbour in the bay during the winter months.

3. (transitive) To hold onto an idea.

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