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

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

I’ve returned to reaching out to humans for professional advice, instead of making AI my first port of call.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 2, 2025

Located just 145 kilometres off the coast of Tunisia, Lampedusa is often the first port of call for migrants from Africa trying to reach Europe in fragile or overcrowded boats.

From Barron's • Oct. 21, 2025

Next port of call, two years hence: the Saturn system.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan