Cinque Ports

American  

[singk] / sɪŋk /

plural noun

1. a former association of maritime towns in SE England: originally (1278) numbering five (Hastings, Romney, Hythe, Dover, and Sandwich) and receiving special privileges in return for aiding in the naval defense of England.

---

Cinque Ports British  

/ sɪŋk /

plural noun

1. an association of ports on the SE coast of England, originally consisting of Hastings, Romney, Hythe, Dover, and Sandwich, which from late Anglo-Saxon times provided ships for the king's service in return for the profits of justice in their courts. The Cinque Ports declined with the growth of other ports and surrendered their charters in 1685

---

Etymology

Origin of Cinque Ports

1275–1325; Middle English cink pors < Old French cink porz. See cinque, port ¹

Example Sentences

Now dad and lad are rivals for the five places up for grabs at Royal Cinque Ports.

From BBC • Jun. 30, 2025

Former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel and Branden Grace, who holds the Open record with a 62, advanced from their qualifier at Royal Cinque Ports.

From Washington Times • Jul. 4, 2023

Royal Cinque Ports hosted two Opens a century ago, while Dundonald Links near Royal Troon has hosted the Scottish Open.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 15, 2022

Royal Cinque Ports, meanwhile, has never hosted another Open.

From The Guardian • Jul. 13, 2012

Dover is the only one of the Cinque Ports which is still a great port.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 6 "Dodwell" to "Drama" by Various