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Harbour Very Common

Harbour has 9 different meanings across 3 categories:

Noun · Verb · Proper Noun

Definitions
Noun
1

a sheltered port where ships can take on or discharge cargo

"The large vessel anchored safely in the harbour to unload its fresh produce before continuing its journey north."

2

a place of refuge and comfort and security

"The quiet cottage by the lake became my harbour after a long week at work."

3

Commonwealth of Nations standard spelling of harbor.

"The Commonwealth nations prefer the spelling harbour over harbor in their official documents."

In plain English: A harbour is a safe place where boats can dock and stay protected from rough weather.

"The small fishing boat found shelter in the harbour during the storm."

Usage: Use the British spelling harbour when referring to a sheltered body of water or providing safety from danger, while American English prefers harbor for both meanings. This noun specifically denotes a protected area where ships anchor and are safe from storms.

Verb
1

secretly shelter (as of fugitives or criminals)

"The old lighthouse keeper was accused of harbouring a wanted pirate on his island."

2

keep in one's possession; of animals

"The old lighthouse keeper refused to harbour stray cats on his rocky island."

3

hold back a thought or feeling about

"She is harboring a grudge against him"

4

maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)

"bear a grudge"

"entertain interesting notions"

"harbor a resentment"

5

Commonwealth of Nations standard spelling of harbor.

"The Canadian government decided to harbour refugees from the conflict zone."

In plain English: To harbour something means to keep it hidden inside your home or heart without letting anyone else know about it.

"The old lighthouse used to serve as a safe harbour for fishing boats during storms, but now it stands quietly on the rocky shore."

Proper Noun
1

A surname​.

"The Harbour family has lived in that coastal town for three generations."

Example Sentences
"The small fishing boat found shelter in the harbour during the storm." noun
"He decided to harbour doubts about the plan until more evidence was found." noun
"The old lighthouse used to serve as a safe harbour for ships during storms." noun
"She felt she could not find a peaceful harbour in her mind after such a chaotic day." noun
"The old lighthouse used to serve as a safe harbour for fishing boats during storms, but now it stands quietly on the rocky shore." verb
See Also
admiral's barge dock fairway harbourside molehead lüderitz breakwater naval base
Related Terms
Broader Terms (hypernyms)
port refuge shelter keep hide feel
Narrower Terms (hyponyms)
coaling station port of call

Origin

As an English surname derived from the noun "harbour," it represents the British spelling variation of the word for a sheltered body of water. The term also appears as a French surname functioning as a variant of "Arbour."

Rhyming Words
our nour your cour hour jour lour dour four tour sour pour stour ofour odour flour clour scour glour amour
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