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Portsmouth

American  
[pawrts-muhth, pohrts-] / ˈpɔrts məθ, ˈpoʊrts- /

noun

  1. a seaport in S Hampshire, in S England, on the English Channel: chief British naval station.

  2. a seaport in SE Virginia: navy yard.

  3. a seaport in SE New Hampshire: naval base; Russian-Japanese peace treaty 1905.

  4. a city in S Ohio, on the Ohio River.

  5. a town in SE Rhode Island.


Portsmouth British  
/ ˈpɔːtsməθ /

noun

  1. Informal name: Pompey.  a port in S England, in Portsmouth unitary authority, Hampshire, on the English Channel: Britain's chief naval base; university (1992). Pop: 187 056 (2001)

  2. a unitary authority in S England, in Hampshire. Pop: 188 700 (2003 est). Area: 37 sq km (14 sq miles)

  3. a port in SE Virginia, on the Elizabeth River: naval base; shipyards. Pop: 99 617 (2003 est)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Defeat by relegation rivals Portsmouth on Saturday has the Foxes eight points adrift of safety with just nine points left to play for.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

An international team of scientists led by the University of Portsmouth has completed a large global study of these so-called surging glaciers.

From Science Daily • Apr. 17, 2026

The wetlands have been set up at the Southcoast Wake Park in Portsmouth as part of a long-term research programme, using a before-and-after monitoring approach to assess their environmental impact.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

He purchased Portsmouth, then in the second-tier Championship, in June 2011.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Whichever version is true, it was not long before word of Ona Judge’s presence in Portsmouth reached the president.

From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis