harbour

harbour

I

har‧bour¹ British English, harbor American English /ˈhɑːbə $ ˈhɑːrbər/ noun [countable]
an area of water next to the land where the water is calm, so that ships are safe when they are inside it ⇨ bay:
    as they sailed into Portsmouth Harbour
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ port noun [uncountable and countable] a place where ships can be loaded and unloaded: a busy port | We’ll have two days ashore while the ship is in port. | The ferry was about to leave port.
   ▪ harbour British English, harbor American English noun [countable] an area of water next to the land which is protected by walls so the water is calm, and is a place where ships can stay when they are not sailing: They sailed into Portsmouth Harbour | Tourist boats leave the harbour at Riva regularly. | the harbour wall
   ▪ dock [uncountable and countable] a place in a port where ships are loaded, unloaded, or repaired: A crowd was waiting at the dock to greet them. | The ship was in dock for repairs.
   ▪ pier a structure that is built over and into the water so that boats can stop next to it or people can walk along it: The yacht was moored at a pier.
   ▪ jetty noun [countable] a wall or platform built out into the water, used for getting on and off boats: a wooden jetty | The house has a private jetty.
   ▪ mooring noun [countable] the place where a ship or boat is fastened to the land or to the bottom of the sea: Tugs towed the boat away from its mooring at White Bay.
   ▪ marina noun [countable] a harbour where people keep boats which are used for pleasure: They are building a new 220-berth marina. | The apartments have a private marina.

II

harbour² British English, harbor American English verb [transitive]
1. to keep bad thoughts, fears, or hopes in your mind for a long time:
    I think he’s harbouring some sort of grudge against me.
    She began to harbour doubts over the wisdom of their journey.
2. to contain something, especially something hidden and dangerous:
    Sinks and draining boards can harbour germs.
3. to protect and hide criminals that the police are searching for
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ protect to keep someone or something safe from harm, damage, or illness: Don’t worry, I’ll protect you. | The government wants to protect the environment. | Eating healthily helps to protect against many diseases.
   ▪ give/offer/provide protection to protect someone from something harmful: Wearing a hat offers some protection from the sun. | The drug can give protection against cancer. | The law provides no protection.
   ▪ guard to protect a person, place, or object by staying near them and watching them: Police officers guarded the entrance to the building. | He is guarded by armed men.
   ▪ save to protect someone or something when they are in danger of being harmed or destroyed: Local people are fighting to save the theatre from demolition. | Emergency aid could save millions of people who are threatened with starvation.
   ▪ preserve to keep something, especially buildings or the environment, from being harmed, destroyed, or changed too much: The organization works to preserve forests. | There is little money for preserving historic buildings.
   ▪ safeguard to protect something important, such as people’s rights, interests, jobs, health etc: The deal will safeguard 200 jobs at the factory. | Laws should do more to safeguard the rights of victims.
   ▪ shield to put something in front of something else to protect it. Also used to talk about protecting people from unpleasant situations: He lifted his hand to shield his eyes from the light. | They thought the public should be shielded from the truth.
   ▪ shelter to provide a place where someone or something is protected from the weather or from danger: The village is sheltered by a belt of trees. | His family had sheltered Jews during the war.
   ▪ harbour British English, harbor American English to help and protect someone who has done something illegal, and prevent the police from finding them: He is accused of harbouring suspected terrorists.