home port

American  

noun

1. the port where a ship is registered.

2. the port out of which a ship is operated but not necessarily registered.

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Etymology

Origin of home port

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

The ARA San Juan went missing a week after it set off from Ushuaia on Argentina's southern tip and was returning to its home port at the Mar del Plata naval base.

From Barron's • Mar. 4, 2026

Then it went back to its home port and reloaded for its third and final voyage of the year.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 30, 2025

In 1919, Long Beach became the home port for the nation’s Pacific fleet of battleships, and in time, more ships followed.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 4, 2025

HMS Trent left its home port of Gibraltar in early December and is currently alongside in Bridgetown, Barbados for Christmas.

From BBC • Dec. 24, 2023

“When a man’s on shipboard, it’s Aye, aye, sir and you obey on the double. But at least when I’m in home port I’m my own boss!”

From "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch" by Jean Lee Latham