Harbor vs. Wharf — What's the Difference?

A harbor (American English) or harbour (British English; see spelling differences) (synonym: haven) is a sheltered body of water where ships, boats, and barges can be docked. The term harbor is often used interchangeably with port, which is a man-made facility built for loading and unloading vessels and dropping off and picking up passengers.

A wharf, quay (, also ), or staith(e) is a structure on the shore of a harbour or on the bank of a river or canal where ships may dock to load and unload cargo or passengers. Such a structure includes one or more berths (mooring locations), and may also include piers, warehouses, or other facilities necessary for handling the ships.

A sheltered part of a body of water deep enough to provide anchorage for ships.

A level quayside area to which a ship may be moored to load and unload.

A place of shelter; a refuge.

A pier where ships or boats are tied up and loaded or unloaded.

To give shelter to

(Obsolete) A shore or riverbank.

To provide a place, home, or habitat for

To moor (a vessel) at a wharf.

To entertain or nourish (a specified thought or feeling)

To take to or store (cargo) on a wharf.

(countable) Any place of shelter.

To furnish, equip, or protect with wharves or a wharf.

A sheltered expanse of water, adjacent to land, in which ships may anchor or dock, especially for loading and unloading.

To berth at a wharf.

A mixing box for materials.

A man-made landing place for ships on a shore or river bank.

A house of the zodiac, or the mansion of a heavenly body.

The bank of a river, or the shore of the sea.

Shelter, refuge.

(transitive) To secure by a wharf.

(transitive) To provide a harbor or safe place for.

(transitive) To place on a wharf.

(intransitive) To take refuge or shelter in a protected expanse of water.

A structure or platform of timber, masonry, iron, earth, or other material, built on the shore of a harbor, river, canal, or the like, and usually extending from the shore to deep water, so that vessels may lie close alongside to receive and discharge cargo, passengers, etc.; a quay; a pier.

(transitive) To drive (a hunted stag) to covert.

The bank of a river, or the shore of the sea.

(transitive) To hold or persistently entertain in one's thoughts or mind.

To guard or secure by a firm wall of timber or stone constructed like a wharf; to furnish with a wharf or wharfs.

A station for rest and entertainment; a place of security and comfort; a refuge; a shelter.

To place upon a wharf; to bring to a wharf.

Specif.: A lodging place; an inn.

A platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats

The mansion of a heavenly body.

Provide with a wharf;

A portion of a sea, a lake, or other large body of water, either landlocked or artificially protected so as to be a place of safety for vessels in stormy weather; a port or haven.

Store on a wharf;

A mixing box for materials.

Discharge at a wharf;

To afford lodging to; to entertain as a guest; to shelter; to receive; to give a refuge to; to indulge or cherish (a thought or feeling, esp. an ill thought); as, to harbor a grudge.

Come into or dock at a wharf;

To lodge, or abide for a time; to take shelter, as in a harbor.

Moor at a wharf;

A sheltered port where ships can take on or discharge cargo

A place of refuge and comfort and security

Maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings);

Secretly shelter (as of fugitives or criminals)

Keep in one's possession; of animals

Hold back a thought or feeling about;