port of call

American  

noun

1. a port visited briefly by a ship, usually to take on or discharge passengers and cargo or to undergo repairs.

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port of call British  

noun

1. any port where a ship stops, excluding its home port

2. any place visited on a traveller's itinerary

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Etymology

Origin of port of call

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

The rerouting around Africa adds time and cost, as the trip is 10 to 15 days longer than through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, depending on the final port of call in Europe.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 13, 2026

On the other hand Austria has historically opposed atomic power and Spain remains a strong advocate of renewables as the first port of call for greener power supplies.

From Barron's • Mar. 10, 2026

The first port of call if you think you should seek medical help is to call 111 or go to your GP.

From BBC • Jan. 8, 2026

His first port of call was the University of Hong Kong, the territory’s flagship higher-education institution.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 26, 2025

Navy never realized that the Indianapolis was overdue at its next port of call and never sent a rescue party to the disaster site.

From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler